American English

How to pronounce unable

adjectiveB1Common word
uhNAYbl

/əˈneɪ.bl̩/

3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.

not able to do something

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adjective

not able to do something

I was unable to sleep.

She is unable to attend the meeting.

Good to know

Unable is usually followed by to + a verb: unable to go. Say unable to, not unable for.

Common phrases & grammar

be unable to speak · be unable to work · be unable to attend · be unable to pay

subject + be + unable to + verb

subject + be + unable to + noun

Related words & forms