English Explanatory Dictionary

incompetent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Lacking the degree of ability and responsibility necessary to do a task successfully.
  2. Unable to make rational decisions; insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
  3. Opening too early during pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage or premature birth.
  4. Not resistant to deformation or flow.
noun
  1. A person who is incompetent.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈkɒmpətənt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-incompetent.wav

Word forms

incompetent more incompetent most incompetent incompetents

Etymology

Borrowed from French incompétent, from Late Latin incompetentem, from Latin incompetēns, equivalent to in- + competent.

Synonyms

noncompetent uncompetent inept ineffective abysmal atrocious awful bad chronic coarse corny crap crapalicious crappy crummy deityforsaken dire disagreeable dismal dogshit dreadful fifth-rate foul fourth-rate godawful hellish hideous hopeless horrendous horrid horrible horrific inadequate incompetent inelegant intolerable inferior lackluster loathsome lousy miserable naff negative odious ordinary pathetic peak piss-poor rotten rubbish shitawful shitty sixth-rate sloppy subpar terrible unfavorable wack incapable inable

Antonyms

competent capable able artful habile accomplished adept adroit apt consummate conversant crack crafty deft dexterous expert facile fluent gain handy maestrolike masterful masterlike masterly masterous professional proficient qualified quick ready skilled skillful thoroughbred tight practiced versed

Related words

incompetence incompetency

Derived words

immunoincompetent incompetently incompetentness non-incompetent retroincompetent
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