different between unable vs unfit

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

Etymology

From un- +? fit.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?n?f?t/
• Rhymes: -?t

Adjective

unfit (comparative unfitter or more unfit, superlative unfittest or most unfit)

1. Not fit; not having the correct requirements.

   Synonym: unsuitable

   Antonyms: fit, suitable

2. Not fit, not having a good physical demeanor.

   Synonym: out of shape

   Antonyms: fit, in shape

Derived terms

• unfitly
• unfitness

Translations

Verb

unfit (third-person singular simple present unfits, present participle unfitting, simple past and past participle unfitted)

1. To make unfit; to render unsuitable, spoil, disqualify.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:

     He [...] added that he was fearful Christianity, or rather Christians, had unfitted him for ascending the pure and undefiled throne of thirty pagan Kings before him.

   • 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.30:

     These preoccupations unfitted the soldiers for the defence of the frontier, and permitted vigorous incursions of Germans form the north and Persians from the east.