First Known Use: 1542
Dictionary
inept
adjective in·ept \i-ˈnept\
: lacking skill or ability
: showing a lack of skill or ability : not done well
Full Definition of INEPT
2
: lacking sense or reason : foolish
3
: not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree <an inept metaphor>
4
: generally incompetent : bungling <inept leadership>
— in·ept·ly \-ˈnep(t)-lē\ adverb
— in·ept·ness \-nəs\ noun
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Examples of INEPT
- Not only does the post have a narrow mandate, covering such sexy subjects as nuclear waste and solar energy, but the secretary presides over the most inept bureaucrats in the land. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 3 July 2000
- The real hackers have an understanding of technology at a basic level. … The rest are talentless poseurs and hangers-on, either completely inept or basic criminals. —Bruce Schneier, Secrets & Lies, 2000
- To Cornelius, the White House travel office must have seemed—as it would have to any of the others who had served on the tight ship of the campaign's travel operation—an appallingly inept … operation. —Peter J. Boyer, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 1996
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Origin of INEPT
Middle French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- + aptus apt
Related to INEPT
- Synonyms
- inapt, incapable, incompetent, inexpert, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful
Synonym Discussion of INEPT
awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact <periods of awkward silence>. clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill <a clumsy mechanic>. maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations <a maladroit politician>. inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy <a hopelessly inept defense attorney>. gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding <felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties>.
INEPT Defined for Kids
inept
adjective in·ept \i-ˈnept\
Definition of INEPT for Kids
1
: not suited to the occasion <an inept remark>
2
: lacking in skill or ability <an inept painter>
— in·ept·ly adverb
— in·ept·ness noun
Word Root of INEPT
The Latin word aptus, meaning “fit” or “suitable,” gives us the root apt or ept. Words from the Latin aptus have something to do with being fitting or suitable. Something apt fits just right into a situation. To adapt is to change in order to fit a situation better. Someone who is adept has suitable skills to perform a task well, while someone who is inept does not.
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