adjective
inept
ih-NEHPT
Inept (adjective) means lacking skill; clumsy or incompetent at doing something. Example: “He made an inept attempt at fixing the leak and flooded the kitchen.”
adjective
1
Lacking skill; clumsy or incompetent at doing something.
"He made an inept attempt at fixing the leak and flooded the kitchen."
"The referee's inept handling of the match angered both teams."
2
Not suited to the situation; inappropriate.
"His joke was an inept remark to make at a funeral."
How to use inept
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBad at doing something, often in a way that's a bit embarrassing.
Common mistake
Stronger and more judgmental than unskilled — inept implies the person really should have managed better.
Common pairings
inept handling
wildly inept
inept at
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inept
- Superlative
- most inept
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He made an _____ attempt at fixing the leak and flooded the kitchen.
Etymology
From French inepte, from Latin ineptus, "not fitting" — in- + aptus, the same root that gives English apt.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
