Inoperable for Dummies

Inoperable is a word that describes something that cannot function or work properly. It's kind of like when you have a toy that is broken and no matter how much you try, you just can't make it work. This word is often used to talk about machines or devices that are not able to be operated or used because they are damaged or broken. It means that they are unable to carry out their intended purpose or function, like a car that won't start or a computer that crashes every time you try to use it.

But in addition to machines, inoperable can also describe something that cannot be operated on or fixed by a doctor. For example, if a doctor says that a tumor is inoperable, it means that it cannot be removed through surgery. The tumor might be in a place that is too difficult to reach or it might be spreading in a way that makes it impossible to remove completely. This is a more serious use of the word, and it means that surgery is not an option to treat the condition.

So, in simple terms, inoperable means that something cannot be fixed or used because it is broken or damaged. It can be used to talk about machines that won't work or medical conditions that cannot be treated with surgery. It's kind of like when a toy is broken and you can't fix it, or when a doctor says there's nothing they can do to remove a tumor. It's a word that tells us that something is not able to function or be operated on.