Incompetent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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incompetent
[ɪnˈkɒmpɪt(ə)nt ]
Definitions
work performance
Not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He was fired for being incompetent at his job.
- The manager was incompetent and unable to lead the team effectively.
legal system
Not legally qualified or fit to perform a particular task.
Synonyms
incapable, unfit, unqualified.
Examples of usage
- The lawyer was found incompetent to represent the defendant in court.
- The judge declared the witness incompetent to testify due to mental incapacity.
Translations
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Origin of 'incompetent'
The word 'incompetent' originated from the Latin word 'incompetentem', which means 'not suitable'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. The prefix 'in-' signifies 'not', and 'competent' comes from the Latin 'competentem', meaning 'suitable' or 'adequate'. Over time, 'incompetent' has evolved to describe someone lacking the necessary skills or qualifications for a task.
See also: competently, incompetence, incompetently.