Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [in-ept, ih-nept]
- /ɪnˈɛpt, ɪˈnɛpt/
- /ɪˈnept/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [in-ept, ih-nept]
- /ɪnˈɛpt, ɪˈnɛpt/
Definitions of inept word
- adjective inept without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit: He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people. 1
- adjective inept generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent. 1
- adjective inept inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place. 1
- adjective inept absurd or foolish: an inept remark. 1
- noun inept Having or showing no skill; clumsy. 1
- adjective inept person: incompetent 1
Information block about the term
Origin of inept
First appearance:
before 1595 One of the 38% oldest English words
1595-1605; < Latin ineptus, equivalent to in- in-3 + -eptus, combining form of aptus apt
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Inept
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
inept popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
inept usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for inept
adj inept
- bumbling — If you describe a person or their behaviour as bumbling, you mean that they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything.
- incompetent — not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable: an incompetent candidate.
- awkward — An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with.
- inefficient — not efficient; unable to effect or achieve the desired result with reasonable economy of means.
- artless — Someone who is artless is simple and honest, and does not think of deceiving other people.
adjective inept
- clumsy — A clumsy person moves or handles things in a careless, awkward way, often so that things are knocked over or broken.
- ham-fisted — clumsy, inept, or heavy-handed: a ham-handed approach to dealing with people that hurts a lot of feelings.
- useless — of no use; not serving the purpose or any purpose; unavailing or futile: It is useless to reason with him.
- hopeless — providing no hope; beyond optimism or hope; desperate: a hopeless case of cancer.
- unskilled — of or relating to workers who lack technical training or skill.
Antonyms for inept
adj inept
- capable — If a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability to do it.
- competent — Someone who is competent is efficient and effective.
- dexterous — Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.
- efficient — (esp. of a system or machine) Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- skillful — having or exercising skill: a skillful juggler.
adjective inept
- expert — A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
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