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in·com·pe·tent
 incompetent
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- pronunciation:
- In
kam
p
tnt
- parts of speech:
- adjective, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
lacking necessary knowledge or skills.
The parents claimed that the teacher was incompetent and shouldn't be teaching.He was afraid that he would look incompetent if he tried out for the team.- antonyms:
- able, adept, capable, competent, expert, proficient, virtuoso
- similar words:
- amateur, hopeless, inept
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| definition 2: |
not legally able or qualified.
The man was found incompetent to stand trial.- antonyms:
- competent
- similar words:
- irresponsible
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| related words: |
feeble, inadequate, ineffective, insufficient, unqualified, weak |
adverb + (adj.)incompetent
allegedly, basically, completely, dangerously, either, from, grossly, hopelessly, legally, mentally, politically, similarly, socially, technically, thoroughly, totally, unbelievably
(adj.)incompetent
+ adverb
merely
(adj.)incompetent
+ noun
administrator,
adviser,
assassin,
assistant,
boob,
bureaucracy,
commander,
contractor,
counsel,
criminal,
crony,
decision,
doctor,
employee,
faculty,
fool,
idiot,
lawyer,
leadership,
liar,
officer,
patient,
peer,
physician,
policing,
politician,
principal,
prosecution,
representation,
ruler,
servant,
teacher,
trial,
welfare,
wish
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
someone who is incompetent.
- antonyms:
- adept
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| definition 2: |
someone who cannot legally be held responsible for his or her actions.
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| related words: |
imbecile |
adjective + (n.)incompetent
authoritarian, drunken, enthusiastic, galling, inefficient, infantile, intolerant, political, unneeded, untrained
verb + (n.)incompetent
allow, bumble, jettison, man, protect, represent, snag, sterilize, weed
noun + (n.)incompetent
administration, appointee, bunch, charlatan, crook, drunk, dumping, gossip, hack, leader, right, staff, tempo
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| derivation: |
incompetently (adv.) |
The word incompetent
contains the following part:
in-2
Latin
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
The prefix in-2 occurs in Latin loanwords and attaches to Latinate bases. The bases of most words prefixed with in-2 are independent
adjectives ( inadvertent
, incognizant
), although the base adjective may no longer be in widespread use (as with incessant
). Exceptions include iniquitous
and indignant
. -in 2 has multiple forms, as the 'n' sound in in-2 assimilates to the initial sound of the base to which it is attached. See the assimilated forms ig-, il-2, im-2, and ir-2.
Example words:
inaccurate, inadvertent, inalienable, inanimate, inappropriate, inapt, inarticulate, inaudible, inauspicious, incapable, incessant, incest, incognito, incognizant, incommensurate, incommodious, incompetent, incomplete, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inconclusive, incongruous, inconsiderate, inconsonant, inconspicuous, inconvenient, incorporeal, incorrect, incorrigible, incorrupt, incredible, incredulous, incurable, indecorous, indefeasible, indefinite, indelible, indemnify, independence, independent, indescribable, indestructible, indignant, indirect, indispose, indistinct, individual, indivisible, indolent, indomitable, indubitable, inedible, ineffable, inefficient, ineluctable, inept, inequality, inequity, ineradicable, inert, inevitable, inexorable, inexpensive, inexpiable, inexplicable, infallible, infamous, infelicitous, infidel, infidelity, infinite, infinitesimal, infirmity, informal, infrequent, inimical, inimitable, iniquitous, iniquity, injure, injury, innocuous, innominate, inordinate, insane, insatiable, inscrutable, inseparable, insipid, insolent, insomnia, insouciant, insuperable, intangible, interminable, intractable, intransigent, intransitive, intrepid, invaluable, inveracity, invincible, invisible, irregular
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