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INCOMPETENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Someone who is not competent to take effective action
Synonyms:
incompetent; incompetent person
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("incompetent" is a kind of...):
unskilled person (a person who lacks technical training)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "incompetent"):
blunderer; botcher; bumbler; bungler; butcher; fuckup; fumbler; sad sack; stumbler (someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence)
slouch (an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not meeting requirements
Example:
unequal to the demands put upon him
Synonyms:
incapable; incompetent; unequal to
Classified under:
Similar:
inadequate; unequal (lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task)
Derivation:
incompetence (lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Not qualified or suited for a purpose
Example:
the filming was hopeless incompetent
Classified under:
Similar:
feckless; inept (generally incompetent and ineffectual)
ineffective; inefficient (lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; inadequate)
unworkmanlike (not characteristic of or suitable for a good workman)
Also:
inefficient (not producing desired results; wasteful)
unqualified (not meeting the proper standards and requirements and training)
unskilled (not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency)
Antonym:
competent (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient)
Derivation:
incompetence; incompetency (lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Legally not qualified or sufficient
Example:
incompetent witnesses
Synonyms:
incompetent; unqualified
Classified under:
Adjectives
Domain category:
jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Antonym:
competent (legally qualified or sufficient)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Not doing a good job
Example:
incompetent at chess
Synonyms:
incompetent; unskilled
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
bad (having undesirable or negative qualities)
Derivation:
incompetence; incompetency (lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Showing lack of skill or aptitude
Example:
his fumbling attempt to put up a shelf
Synonyms:
bungling; clumsy; fumbling; incompetent
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unskilled (not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency)
Derivation:
incompetence; incompetency (lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications)
