Incompetent
/ɪnˈkɒm.pɪ.tənt/noun
Not having the necessary ability, knowledge, or qualification to do something.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *competere*, “to strive together” or “to be fit,” so *incompetent* originally meant someone who simply did not “meet” the requirement — no magic, just brutal social judgment.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
competere
“to come together, agree, or be fit for a purpose”
Latin
Latin
competens
“suitable, fitting, qualified”
Late Latin
Latin
incompetentem
“not fitting, not qualified; lacking legal capacity”
14th Century
English
incompetent
“not legally qualified or fit for a duty or office”
Modern English
English
incompetent
“lacking the ability, fitness, or qualification required for a task”
Explore more surprising origins