Unfit — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˌən-ˈfit/ un·fit

Meaning & Definition of Unfit

Unfit (adjective)

  1. not fit:
  2. not adapted to a purpose, unsuitable—often used with for
  3. not qualified, incapable, incompetent —often used with for

Unfit (verb)

  1. to make unfit, disable, disqualify

Unfit (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job

    "just because I don't have actual work experience doesn't mean I'm unfit for the job"

    similar: inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful
    related: ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional, unequipped, unprepared, untrained, useless, worthless, disqualified, ineligible, wanting
    opposite: able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent
    near: prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile

  2. not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

    "those flimsy shoes are unfit for the hike we're about to take"

    similar: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong, out of place, out of the way
    related: inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial, bad, naughty, sinful, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful, unacceptable, unsatisfactory
    opposite: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable
    near: fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, permitted, approved, endorsed, kosher, licensed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, tolerable, commendable, creditable, exemplary, blameless, irreproachable, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unfit

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unfit:

inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful, amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong, out of place, out of the way

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unfit

Words with the opposite meaning of Unfit:

able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent, appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable

Related Words for Unfit

ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional, unequipped, unprepared, untrained, useless, worthless, disqualified, ineligible, wanting, inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible

Near Antonyms of Unfit

prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile, fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative

Word Forms of Unfit

Inflections: unfitted, unfitting, unfits

Derived words: unfitly (adverb), unfitness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Unfit

First known use: 1545

Frequently Asked Questions about Unfit

What does "Unfit" mean?

"Unfit" means not fit:. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: not fit:. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unfit"?

Other words for "Unfit" include inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfitted and unqualified. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unfit" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unfit"?

There are 81 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unfit". Common alternatives include inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled and unskillful.

What is the opposite of "Unfit"?

Antonyms of "Unfit" include able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled and skillful. Near antonyms include prepared, ready, trained and overqualified.

How do you use "Unfit" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unfit" in a sentence: "just because I don't have actual work experience doesn't mean I'm unfit for the job"; "those flimsy shoes are unfit for the hike we're about to take".

Is "Unfit" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unfit" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Unfit"?

"Unfit" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈfit/ and divided into syllables as un·fit.

What is the origin of the word "Unfit"?

First known use: 1545.