unsuited

Unsuited is an adjective describing something that is not suitable, appropriate, or fitting for a particular purpose, circumstance, or person. It signals a lack of compatibility or alignment with the relevant requirements, constraints, or expectations. The term can apply in everyday language to plans, opportunities, or roles, as in phrases like “unsuited to the task” or “unsuited for the role.” It is commonly used to suggest that a choice or arrangement would not work well given the context.

In the context of card games, unsuited has a more technical sense. It describes a hand in which the cards do not share the same suit. For example, in poker or bridge, a hand consisting of two cards of different suits is often described as unsuited (also referred to as offsuit in some descriptions). This contrasts with a suited hand, where the cards are of the same suit.

Usage notes and related terms: unsuited emphasizes lack of fit rather than the positive qualities of suitability. It can be paired with nouns to express inappropriateness, such as unsuited to the climate, unsuited for the job, or unsuited equipment for a task. Antonyms include suited, compatible, appropriate, and fit. Synonyms in certain contexts include ill-suited and ill-matched. Overall, unsuited functions as a general descriptor of misfit or incompatibility across diverse domains.