incompetence

American  

[in-kom-pi-tuhns] / ɪnˈkɒm pɪ təns /

Also incompetency

noun

1. the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.

2. Law. the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

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Etymology

Origin of incompetence

First recorded in 1655–65; from French incompétence (equivalent to in- negative prefix + compétence); variant of earlier incompetency; see origin at incompetent; see also -cy, -ence, -ency

Explanation

Can't finish a simple task? Having a hard time figuring something out? Lack the ability to get things done? Then you might be suffering from incompetence. Have you ever noticed how bad a lot of people are at their jobs, even though they do them every day? Or how often famous people screw things up, even very important things? Then you've already noticed that incompetence is a very common thing. Incompetence is a word for people and things that are ineffective, shoddy, or just terrible at what they're supposed to do. Incompetence is the opposite of excellence.

Related Words

• inability
• ineptitude
• inexperience