different between unable vs ineffectual

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?e?b?l/
• Rhymes: -e?b?l

Etymology 1

From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- +? able.

Adjective

unable (comparative unabler or more unable, superlative unablest or most unable)

1. Not able; lacking a certain ability.

   Are you unable to mind your own business or something?

Antonyms

• able

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English unablen, equivalent to un- +? able.

Verb

unable (third-person singular simple present unables, present participle unabling, simple past and past participle unabled)

1. (transitive, nonstandard) To render unable; disable

Anagrams

• Buelna, Nabeul, nebula, unbale

English

Alternative forms

• ineffectuall (obsolete)

Etymology

in- +? effectual

Adjective

ineffectual (comparative more ineffectual, superlative most ineffectual)

1. Unable or insufficient to produce effect.

   Synonyms: futile; see also Thesaurus:futile

   • 1865, Henry David Thoreau, Cape Cod, Chapter II. "Stage-coach Views", page 16.

     This coach was an exceedingly narrow one, but as there was a slight spherical excess over two on a seat, the driver waited till nine passengers had got in, without taking the measure of any of them, and then shut the door after two or three ineffectual slams, as if the fault were all in the hinges or the latch,—while we timed our inspirations and expirations so as to assist him.

2. Worthless.
3. Weak, indecisive; lacking forcefulness.

Antonyms

• effectual

Related terms

• ineffectualness
• ineffectuality
• ineffectually

Translations