Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Incompetent
1.
Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit.
Incompetent
to perform the duties of the place. Macaulay.
Richard III. had a resolution, out of hatred to his brethren, to disable their issues, upon false and
incompetent
pretexts, the one of attainder, the other of illegitimation. Bacon.
Syn. – Incapable; unable; inadequate; insufficient; inefficient; disqualified; unfit; improper.
–
Incompetent
, Incapable
. Incompetent is a relative term, denoting a lack of the requisite qualifications for performing a given act, service, etc.; incapable is absolute in its meaning, denoting lack of power, either natural or moral. We speak of a man as incompetent to a certain task, of an incompetent judge, etc. We say of an idiot that he is incapable of learning to read; and of a man distinguished for his honor, that he is incapable of a mean action. Webster 1828 Edition
Incompetent
INCOM'PETENT
,Adj.
1.
Wanting adequate powers of mind or suitable faculties; as an incompetent judge. Infancy, derangement, want of learning or dotage may render a person incompetent to fill an office or to transact business.2.
Wanting due strength or suitable faculties; unable.3.
Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications. A person convicted of a crime, is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity.4.
Destitute of means; unable.5.
Inadequate; insufficient; as incompetent testimony.6.
Unfit; improper; legally unavailable. It is incompetent for the defendant to make this defense.
Definition 2025
incompetent
incompetent
See also: incompétent
English
Adjective
incompetent
- Unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.
- Having an incompetent lawyer may be grounds for a retrial, but the lawyer in question probably doesn't know that.
- Unable to make rational decisions, insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
- The charged was judged incompetent to stand trial, at least until his medication started working.
- (medicine) an incompetent cervix is one that opens too early in pregnancy, provoking the baby to be born.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:bad
Translations
unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability
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unable to make rational decisions, insane or otherwise cognitively impaired
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Usage notes
The form incompetent of, as in "I am incompetent of doing anything!" is heard (US). It is incorrect, the intended word is incapable.
Noun
incompetent (plural incompetents)
- A person who is incompetent.