Etymology From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- + able.
1
Not able; lacking a certain ability.
Are you unable to mind your own business or something?
Fulham switched off as Giggs took a quick corner to Valencia. He played it back to Giggs, whose cross was headed in by Nani with the lurking Rooney unable to add a touch.2011 December 21, Tom Rostance, “Fulham 0-5 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
2 more examples
Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […] But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul.2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
The train operating company owning group warned in early December that it was unable to publish its results for the year to July 3 2021, following an investigation into the running of Southeastern, which was stripped of its franchise in October [...].2022 January 12, “Network News: Trading of Go-Ahead Group shares halted”, in RAIL, number 948, page 7: