Standard Lemma guide

unfit

adj · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK, US: /ʌnˈfɪt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪt
  • CMU ARPABET: AH0 N F IH1 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not fit; not having the correct requirements.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Jack cannot run, making him unfit for the track team.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inapt, unsuitable, bad, discommensurate, improper, inappropriate, incommensurate, inept, inopportune, out of line, out of order, out of place, unapt, unfit, unhappy, unseemly

Antonyms: fit, suitable

2

adj

Meaning 2

Not fit, not having a good physical demeanor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I've become so unfit after stopping cycling to town.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: out of shape

Antonyms: fit, in shape

3

adj

Meaning 3

Unsuitable for a particular purpose.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To make unfit; to render unsuitable, spoil, disqualify.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective

Meaning 5

not in good physical or mental condition; out of condition

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • fat and very unfit
  • certified as unfit for army service
  • drunk and unfit for service

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: fit

6

adjective

Meaning 6

below the required standards for a purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an unfit parent
  • unfit for human consumption

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: fit

7

adjective satellite

Meaning 7

physically unsound or diseased

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • has a bad back
  • a bad heart
  • bad teeth
  • an unsound limb
  • unsound teeth

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bad, unsound

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

make unfit or unsuitable

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Your income disqualifies you

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disqualify, indispose

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English fit English unfit From un- + fit.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: негоден (negoden) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Bulgarian: неподходящ (nepodhodjašt) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • French: inapte — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • French: incapable — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • French: impropre — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • German: untauglich — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Gujarati: અયોગ્ય (ayogya) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Japanese: そぐわない (soguwanai) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Japanese: 不適切な (futekidetsu na) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Japanese: 不相応な (fusōō na) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Japanese: 不向きな (fumuki na) — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Spanish: impropio — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Spanish: inapropiado — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Spanish: inadecuado — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Spanish: inapto — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Spanish: no aparejado — not fit; not having the correct requirements
  • Bulgarian: нетрениран (netreniran) — not having a good physical demeanour
  • German: schlapp — not having a good physical demeanour
  • German: lahm — not having a good physical demeanour
  • German: kraft- und saftlos — not having a good physical demeanour
  • German: schwach — not having a good physical demeanour
  • Māori: tē whiti (te tinana) — not having a good physical demeanour