inept

[ in-ept, ih-nept ]
/ ɪnˈɛpt, ɪˈnɛpt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR inept ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit: He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people.
generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent.
inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place.
absurd or foolish: an inept remark.

Origin of inept

1595–1605; < Latin ineptus, equivalent to in- in-3 + -eptus, combining form of aptus apt

OTHER WORDS FROM inept

in·ept·ly, adverb in·ept·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inept

inapt inept unapt

Words nearby inept

ineligible, ineloquent, ineluctable, ineludible, inenarrable, inept, ineptitude, inequable, inequality, inequilateral, inequitable

Words related to ineptness

weakness, incompetence, lack, failure, shortcoming, ineptitude, inefficiency, impotence, ignorance, inability, awkwardness, frailty, inadequacy, powerlessness, necessity, insufficiency, incapacity, ineffectiveness, inefficacy, disqualification

Example sentences from the Web for ineptness

British Dictionary definitions for ineptness

inept
/ (ɪnˈɛpt) /

adjective

awkward, clumsy, or incompetent
not suitable, appropriate, or fitting; out of place

Derived forms of inept

ineptitude, noun ineptly, adverb ineptness, noun

Word Origin for inept

C17: from Latin ineptus, from in- 1 + aptus fitting, suitable