inadaptability
|in/a/dapt/a/bil/i/ty|
/ˌɪnəˌdæptəˈbɪlɪti/
not able or willing to adapt
Etymology
'inadaptability' is formed in modern English from the negative prefix 'in-' + the verb 'adapt' + the noun-forming suffix '-ability'. 'in-' is a negation prefix from Latin, and '-ability' denotes a quality or capacity.
'adapt' originates from Latin 'adaptare' (from ad- 'to' + aptare 'to fit'), which passed into Old French and Middle English as 'adapt'/'adapte' before becoming modern English 'adapt'; the negative prefix 'in-' and the suffix '-ability' were combined in English to create 'inadaptability'.
Initially the root 'adaptare' meant 'to make fit' or 'to adjust'; over time the English formation 'inadaptability' came to mean specifically the state or quality of not being able (or unwilling) to make such adjustments.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being unable or unwilling to adapt to new conditions, circumstances, or environments; lack of adaptability.
The inadaptability of the organization to modern technologies caused it to fall behind competitors.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/30 13:29