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ill-equipped

ill-equipped

12 6.1
Having no tools, help, or skills needed for a task
  • adjective
  • /ɪl ɪˈkwɪpt/
translation icon : poco preparado
  • You don't want to be ill-equipped for the journey ahead.
  • ill-equipped to handle
  • ill-equipped to deal
  • ill-equipped to address

because they were ill equipped to handle their first encounter with disappointment or falling short.

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Examples

  • Young people may be entering the workforce ill-equipped to handle daily financial decisions.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Students who feel ill-equipped to write will see that they are not alone.

    Academic text (2003)
  • If changes are not made soon, hospital workers will be ill-equipped to survive in the near future.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Many young economists fresh out of the university are ill-equipped to confront the economic problems of the real world.

    Academic text (1992)
  • But our species is yet ill-equipped to deal with this responsibility, either theoretically or morally.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Despite their patriotism and bravery, most of the companies were ill-equipped and under-trained.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Chávez's party, the PSUV, was ill-equipped to deal with these internal contradictions.

    Academic text (2012)
  • It was the worst years of my life, personally, professionally, I think I was having a nervous breakdown, didn't even know it, just because I was ill-equipped for the enormity of what was being thrown at me.

  • Well-intentioned Caucasian teachers come to minority classrooms ill-equipped to prepare minority children for tests standardized on Euro-American norms.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Young people may be entering the workforce ill-equipped to handle daily financial decisions.

Synonyms

unprepared
vsill-equipped
69 2.8

Not ready for something because the things you need or a plan are missing

means the same lack of advance readiness but also misses tools
unfit
vsill-equipped
51 3.7

Not suitable for a particular job or use

refers to lack of tools or preparation rather than general unsuitability
unequipped
vsill-equipped
2 4.6

Not having the tools or skills needed for a task

lacks those tools or preparation for the situation
unready
vsill-equipped
2 4.5

Not prepared and slow to understand or react

focuses on readiness and reaction speed rather than missing resources
underequipped
vsill-equipped
1 5.6

Not having enough tools or supplies to do something properly

lacks enough tools or resources rather than a small shortage
underprepared
vsill-equipped
1 3.9

Not ready enough for an important task or event

lacks readiness or resources more generally for many purposes

Antonyms

103 1.3

Ready to use or do something when needed

4.0

Having the tools or skills needed for a job

How Well-Equipped

equipped
4.0
ill-equipped
12 6.1
unequipped
2 4.6

Surface Forms

ill-equipped positive

Morphology

ill-equipped = equipped (transparent) = ill + equip + ed

The meaning is directly compositional: 'ill-' negates 'equipped' to mean lacking the necessary equipment or preparation.

Etymology

Ill-equipped breaks into ill- meaning 'badly' or 'not' and equip meaning 'to give tools or prepare', as in equipment. So ill-equipped literally means 'badly prepared' or 'not having the right tools', which explains why we use it for people or places that cannot handle a task or situation.