unfit

Unfit is an adjective meaning not fit, suitable, or adequate for a given purpose. It can describe a person’s physical or mental condition, the quality of an object, or a state that prevents engagement in a task. In everyday use, someone may be described as unfit if they lack the required health, strength, or capacity to perform an activity, such as driving a vehicle, participating in a sport, or undertaking demanding work. It can also be used more generally to indicate that something fails to meet standards of safety or quality, for example an item deemed unfit for sale or consumption.

In medical, occupational, and regulatory contexts, unfit appears in several precise phrases. A person may be declared unfit for work due to illness or disability, or unfit for travel when health risks prohibit movement. In the legal system, terms such as unfit to stand trial or unfit for parental responsibilities describe a determination that a person cannot adequately participate in legal proceedings or care for a child. In food and product regulation, items may be labeled unfit for human consumption or use, indicating health risks or regulatory noncompliance.

Etymologically, unfit combines the prefix un- with fit, reflecting the lack of suitability or fitness. The term is used across varieties of English and is often paired with prepositions like for, to, or to be for. Synonyms include unsuitable, inadequate, and incapable, though each carries distinct nuances depending on context.