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- pronunciation:
- In
ept
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
lacking skill or aptitude; incompetent.
I don't like the thought of firing him, but he's truly inept at the job.- synonyms:
- incompetent, ineffective, maladroit, unskilled
- antonyms:
- able, adept, adroit, apt, competent, dexterous, gifted, handy, masterful, skillful
- similar words:
- awkward, bungling, inefficient, ungainly
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| definition 2: |
not suitable; out of place; clumsy.
- synonyms:
- clumsy, inappropriate
- antonyms:
- apropos
- similar words:
- graceless, improper, maladroit, unseemly, unsuitable
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| definition 3: |
not sensible or reasonable; silly; foolish.
- synonyms:
- foolish, senseless, silly, stupid
- similar words:
- absurd, asinine, mad, pointless
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| related words: |
clumsy, crude, dismal, inadequate, ineffective, stupid, weak |
adverb + (adj.)inept
comically, completely, equally, frequently, hopelessly, incredibly, merely, most, occasionally, physically, politically, rather, remarkably, socially, somewhat, totally, woefully
(adj.)inept
+ adverb
bad
(adj.)inept
+ noun
academic, agent, antic, attempt, baseball, critic, handling, hunter, investigation, leadership, management, manager, police, policy, politician, procedure, prosecution, response, terrorist
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| derivations: |
ineptly (adv.), ineptitude (n.), ineptness (n.) |
The word inept
contains the following parts:
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
apt, ept
Latin
root
that means fit for
Example words:
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