unusable

unusable

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

    From un- + usable.

    Adjective

    unusable (comparative more unusable, superlative most unusable)

    1. Not usable.
      Synonym: (rare) nonusable
      Antonym: usable
      The toilet was unusable because it was blocked.
      • 1961 January, “Talking of Trains: Flooding at Lewes”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5:
        From that night until mid-morning on Sunday, November 6, the station was unusable by any electric trains and the Brighton-Eastbourne service was maintained by steam traction, assisted by two Hastings six-car diesel muliple-units—[...].
      • 2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 57:
        This service has suffered badly from Department for Transport-inspired cuts which reduced it from hourly to two-hourly. This, coupled with regular cancellations, has rendered the train service between the area's two biggest towns almost unusable.

    Translations

    Noun

    unusable (plural unusables)

    1. Something that is not fit for use.
      • 2004, Frank Kolondra, Never a Straight Path, page 176:
        All the fat, skin, bones and unusables from the slaughter house went to the soap factory, and got diverted to feed a company of soldiers.