Incompetence: meaning, definitions and examples

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incompetence

[ɪnˈkɒmpɪtəns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

at work

Lack of ability or skill to perform tasks in a work environment. It may result in errors, delays, or poor quality of work.

Synonyms

inadequacy, inefficiency, ineptitude.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incompetence	Appropriate when referring to someone's general lack of ability or skill to do a job or task correctly. His incompetence as a manager led to many problems within the team. The project failed due to the incompetence of the team leader.
ineptitude	Implies clumsiness or awkwardness in performing tasks, often with a slightly more negative connotation compared to 'incompetence'. His ineptitude at handling customer complaints cost the company several clients. Her social ineptitude made networking events challenging for her.
inefficiency	Best suited for situations where there is a failure to use time, resources, or effort in the most productive way. The inefficiency in the process caused significant delays. Inefficiency in the old software led to frequent downtimes.
inadequacy	Used when highlighting that something or someone is insufficient or not enough to meet a certain standard or requirement. The inadequacy of the medical supplies was a major issue during the emergency. She felt her inadequacy in her new role due to a lack of experience.

Examples of usage

Her incompetence led to a loss of clients for the company.
The manager's incompetence caused the project to fall behind schedule.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

Inability to do something successfully; lack of skill or talent in a particular area.

Synonyms

inability, incapacity, ineffectiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incompetence	Use 'incompetence' when referring to a lack of skill or ability to perform a task effectively, often in a professional or official context. This term generally carries a negative connotation. 'The team's incompetence led to the project's failure ' 'His incompetence in handling customer complaints was evident '
inability	Use 'inability' when focusing on the lack of power or means to do something, often highlighting the state of being unable rather than skill level. This term does not necessarily carry as strong a negative connotation as 'incompetence'. 'Her inability to swim kept her away from the pool ' 'The team's inability to score goals was frustrating for the fans '
incapacity	Use 'incapacity' when referring to a lack of physical or mental ability to perform a task, emphasizing an inherent limitation or condition. It is often used in legal or medical contexts. 'The disease left him with an incapacity to walk ' 'Her mental incapacity was a major concern for the doctors '
ineffectiveness	Use 'ineffectiveness' when describing a situation or strategy that does not produce the desired result or is not productive. This term is often used in discussions about strategies, methods, or actions. 'The ineffectiveness of the new policy was clear after the first month ' 'Their ineffectiveness in negotiations resulted in a poor deal '

Examples of usage

His incompetence in public speaking made it difficult for him to communicate effectively.
The team's incompetence in handling the crisis worsened the situation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin roots: 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'competentem' meaning 'suitable or qualified'.
It first appeared in English around the 17th century, relating to a lack of ability in a specific area.
Related terms include 'incompetent' and 'competence', highlighting intrinsic notions of ability.

Psychology

Research shows that feeling incompetent can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem in various situations.
The Dunning-Kruger effect suggests people with low ability at a task often overestimate their skill, leading to more perceived incompetence.
Language that emphasizes competence helps build confidence and encourages growth, turning perceived incompetence into learning opportunities.

Workplace Culture

Incompetence in the workplace can result from insufficient training, lack of motivation, or unclear expectations.
Organizations often implement training programs to help reduce incompetence and cultivate a skilled workforce.
Constructive feedback is a key tool in transforming perceived incompetence into competence within job roles.

Pop Culture

Films and TV shows often depict characters facing incompetence humorously, such as clumsy employees or hapless detectives.
Incompetence is a common theme in satirical media, critiquing social and political systems through mismanagement scenarios.
Popular reality shows frequently highlight incompetence in various tasks, providing both entertainment and a sense of schadenfreude for viewers.

Education

In educational settings, students may face incompetence in particular subjects, which can be overcome with tailored support and resources.
Learning theories stress the importance of creating a supportive environment to reduce feelings of incompetence in students.
Peer mentoring programs are often implemented in schools to help improve skills and reduce incompetence among learners.

Translations

Translations of the word "incompetence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incompetência

🇮🇳 अक्षमता

🇩🇪 Inkompetenz

🇮🇩 ketidakmampuan

🇺🇦 некомпетентність

🇵🇱 niekompetencja

🇯🇵 無能 (むのう)

🇫🇷 incompétence

🇪🇸 incompetencia

🇹🇷 yetersizlik

🇰🇷 무능 (무능)

🇸🇦 عدم الكفاءة

🇨🇿 nekompetence

🇸🇰 nekompetencia

🇨🇳 无能 (wú néng)

🇸🇮 nekompetentnost

🇮🇸 vanhæfni

🇰🇿 қабілетсіздік

🇬🇪 არაკომპეტენტურობა

🇦🇿 səriştəsizlik

🇲🇽 incompetencia

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,675, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14672 interconnection
14673 whipping
14674 steadfast
14675 incompetence
14676 liberate
14677 pharynx
14678 chatter
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