incompetent

adjective

in·​com·​pe·​tent (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 

1

a

: lacking the qualities needed for effective action : lacking necessary ability or skills

b

: unable to function properly

incompetent heart valves

2

: not legally qualified

After hearing psychiatrist … witnesses … the court found Edwards incompetent to stand trial …

—Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)

3

: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose

incompetent noun

incompetently adverb

Synonyms of incompetent

• unfit
• unfitted
• incapable

Examples of incompetent in a Sentence

He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility.

The patient is mentally incompetent.

The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maybe Dan’s buddy Henry (Jake Curran) is even more incompetent than previously hinted at, in terms of aiding and abetting a homicide. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026

Such an agreement would require battling — and even dismantling — an entrenched and incompetent bureaucracy to speed up economic reforms, and getting rid of old-school historic commanders and everyone else in the government, the Communist Party and the top military echelons standing in the way. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

Sports franchises everywhere can be tacky, rapacious, incompetent, extortionate, and otherwise exploitative, but only because their customers, the fans, are essentially captives. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026

An incompetent attorney general to fire. —Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French incompétent, from in- + compétent competent

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for incompetent

• competent
• immunocompetent

Kids Definition

incompetent

1 of 2 adjective

in·​com·​pe·​tent

(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt

1

: not legally qualified

2

: lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) needed to do something well

an incompetent writer

incompetently adverb

incompetent

2 of 2 noun

: an incompetent person

Medical Definition

incompetent

adjective

in·​com·​pe·​tent (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt 

1

: not legally qualified

especially : incapable due to a mental or physical condition

2

: unable to function properly

incompetent heart valves

incompetently adverb

Legal Definition

incompetent

1 of 2 adjective

in·​com·​pe·​tent in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 

1

: not legally qualified: as

a

: lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency)

b

: incapable due to mental or physical condition compare competent

c

: lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law

an incompetent court

incompetent evidence

2

: unable or failing to perform adequately

fired for being incompetent

an incompetent attorney

compare ineffective assistance of counsel

incompetent

2 of 2 noun

: a person who is incompetent compare interdict