inept
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for inept, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lacking skill; clumsy or incompetent at doing something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use inept
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
inept handling
wildly inept
inept at
Etymology
From French inepte, from Latin ineptus, "not fitting" — in- + aptus, the same root that gives English apt.
Full origin of inept →Frequently asked questions
What does “inept” mean?
The word “inept” means lacking skill; clumsy or incompetent at doing something. In plain terms, bad at doing something, often in a way that's a bit embarrassing.
How do you pronounce “inept”?
“Inept” is pronounced ih-NEHPT (/ɪˈnɛpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inept” in a sentence?
Here is “inept” used in a sentence: “He made an inept attempt at fixing the leak and flooded the kitchen.”
What is the opposite of “inept”?
The opposite of “inept” — its antonyms — are apt, adept and skillful.
What part of speech is “inept”?
“Inept” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inept” come from?
The word “inept” comes from Latin. From French inepte, from Latin ineptus, "not fitting" — in- + aptus, the same root that gives English apt.
How many meanings does “inept” have?
“Inept” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking skill; clumsy or incompetent at doing something.
