different between unequal vs incapable

English

Alternative forms

• unæqual, unequall (obsolete)
• unæquall (obsolete, rare)

Etymology

From Middle English unequale, equivalent to un- +? equal. Compare German unegal (“unlevel, uneven”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?i?kw?l/
• Rhymes: -i?kw?l
• Hyphenation: un?equal

Adjective

unequal (comparative more unequal, superlative most unequal)

1. Not the same.
2. Out of balance.
3. (comparable) Inadequate; insufficiently capable or qualified.

Translations

Noun

unequal (plural unequals)

1. One who is not an equal.

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French incapable, in- +? capable

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?ke?p?bl?/, /???ke?p?bl?/
• Hyphenation: in?ca?pable

Adjective

incapable (comparative more incapable, superlative most incapable)

1. Not capable (of doing something); unable.
2. Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit.

   incapable of pain, or pleasure; incapable of stain or injury

Synonyms

• (not capable): unable
• (not in a state to receive): refusing

Antonyms

• capable

Derived terms

• incapability
• incapably

Related terms

• incapacitate
• incapacitation

Translations

Noun

incapable (plural incapables)

1. (dated) One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

French

Etymology

From Latin incapabilis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.ka.pabl/

Adjective

incapable (plural incapables)

1. unable, incapable

Noun

incapable m (plural incapables, feminine incapable)

1. incompetent (person)

Further reading

• “incapable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).