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incapable

When — even when you want to go to your friends' party — you're incapable of telling your mother you are going to miss her birthday dinner, it means you just can't do it, and that you're a good person. Incapable means "unable."

If incapable means "unable," does capable mean "able"? Yes, but capable also can mean good at getting things done in general, while incapable less often has such a general meaning. You would say, "I'm incapable of making a decent loaf of bread." You'd be less likely to say, "I'm incapable in the kitchen."

DEFINITIONS OF: incapable

1

adj (followed by `of') lacking capacity or ability

incapable of carrying a tune”
“he is incapable of understanding the matter”
incapable of doing the work”
Synonyms
unable
(usually followed by `to') lacking necessary physical or mental ability
incompetent
not qualified or suited for a purpose
Antonyms:
capable
(usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability
able
having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity
confident, sure-footed, surefooted
not liable to error in judgment or action
resourceful
having inner resources; adroit or imaginative
competent
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
show more antonyms...

adj not being susceptible to or admitting of something (usually followed by `of')

incapable of solution”
Synonyms
insusceptible, unsusceptible
not susceptible to

adj (followed by `of') not having the temperament or inclination for

“simply incapable of lying”
Antonyms:
capable
(followed by `of') having the temperament or inclination for

adj not meeting requirements

Synonyms:
incompetent, unequal to
inadequate, unequal
lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
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