inept

[ in-ept, ih-nept ]

adjective

1. without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit:

   He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people.

   Synonyms: unskillful

   Antonyms: suited

2. generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent.
3. inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place.
4. absurd or foolish:

   an inept remark.

   Synonyms: inane, pointless, stupid

inept

/ ɪnˈɛpt /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• inˈeptly, adverb
• inˈeptiˌtude, noun
• inˈeptness, noun

Other Words From

• in·ept·ly adverb
• in·ept·ness in·ept·i·tude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inept¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inept¹

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

Example Sentences

Cake mixes allowed even inept cooks to produce something edible, if not extraordinary.

From Washington Post

In a review of the film for which she won, the New York Times described Zadora as a “spectacularly inept” actress.

From Washington Post

In addition, just because insurrectionists are inept or unsuccessful doesn’t mean they aren’t insurrectionists.

From Washington Post

He, like many Washington insiders, believed the president and many of his advisers were politically inept, incapable of understanding the inner workings of Congress and unable to project a clear message to the public.

From Washington Post

You should probably also zap a Dan doppelganger who is missing its right eye, as that is likely to be an inept evil clone.

From Washington Post

Indeed, his inept attempts to frighten off Stewie only make the situation worse.

From The Daily Beast

Their defense is lackadaisical, their forwards frequently inept.

From The Daily Beast

The moment seems to be a familiar breed of Internet gaffe when a eager but inept social media staffer makes a blunder.

From The Daily Beast

How could members of my profession be so inept at talking to suffering people?

From The Daily Beast

Rather than a world of war and dragons, we get “Medieval Land Fun-Time,” a theme park with inept employees.

From The Daily Beast

The visitors made a game of being awkward and inept, together.

From Project Gutenberg

The "for" is spurious, and though it is not inept the sentence gains greatly in impressiveness by its omission.

From Project Gutenberg

The endearment is so plaintively inept that she smiles in spite of herself, and resigns herself to indulge him a little.

From Project Gutenberg

It is inept for pigmies to stand before one who has every intention of becoming a rapacious pirate shortly.

From Project Gutenberg

He had meant to test his conviction in solitude, but why not put it to trial now, and shame this doubting and inept Rapp, Senior?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• awkward
• bumbling
• incompetent
• inefficient