Added 9 October 2026
incompetent
/ɪnˈkɒmpətənt/ adjective
In Latin: inhabilis, sēgnis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about incompetent at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Lacking the degree of ability and responsibility necessary to do a task successfully.
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.
- Opening too early during pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage or premature birth.
noun
- A person who is incompetent.
Origin
Borrowed from French incompétent, from Late Latin incompetentem, from Latin incompetēns, equivalent to in- + competent.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)