Incompetent
/ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsLacking the skill, knowledge, or qualifications to do something successfully.
/ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt/
Lacking the necessary ability or skill.
The new employee was deemed incompetent and was fired after a few weeks.
💡 Simply: Think about trying to build a Lego castle, but you don't know how to read the instructions! If you can't do it, you're incompetent. It means you're just not good at doing something.
👶 For kids: Not able to do a job well.
More Examples
The mechanic was proven incompetent, and the car broke down again.
She felt incompetent when trying to understand the complex financial documents.
How It's Used
"The CEO fired the manager for being incompetent and unable to manage his team."
"The patient sued the doctor for medical malpractice due to the doctor being incompetent."
Not legally qualified or able; lacking the legal capacity or authority.
/ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt/
Not legally or officially qualified.
The lawyer argued that the defendant was incompetent to stand trial.
💡 Simply: Imagine a judge saying someone is incompetent to make a decision. It means they're not allowed or able to do it, maybe because they're too young or sick.
👶 For kids: Not able to do something the law says you have to be able to do.
More Examples
The court declared the witness incompetent due to a mental illness.
The guardian was found to be incompetent in managing the child's finances.
How It's Used
"The judge declared the witness incompetent to testify due to their mental state."
Idioms & expressions
declare someone incompetent
To officially state that a person is not capable of managing their affairs or making legal decisions.
"The judge declared the elderly man incompetent and appointed a guardian to manage his finances."
prove incompetent
To show that someone lacks the necessary skills or ability to perform a task or job.
"The investigation proved the manager incompetent, leading to his dismissal."
From Latin *incompetens*, meaning 'not suitable' or 'unqualified', formed from *in-* (not) and *competens* (able, capable). The word evolved through legal and administrative contexts.
The word has been used since the 17th century, initially in legal and administrative contexts to denote lack of legal capacity or fitness.
Memory tip
Imagine a competition. If someone is IN the competition but not COMPETENT, they'll fail.
Word Origin
"able; suitable"