Incompetence Meaning and Definition
Incompetence
Pronunciation
/ɪnkəmˈpɛtəns/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A lack of ability, talent, or knowledge to perform a task or function, resulting in ineffective or unsuccessful actions.
Examples
- The new employee’s lack of training led to an atmosphere of incompetence in the office.
- The company’s incompetent management led to financial collapse.
Synonyms
- Ineptness
- Incompetency
- Foolishness
Antonyms
- Proficiency
- Excellence
- Efficiency
Etymology
From Latin incompetentia, from in- (not) + competens (competent)
Usage Notes
Use “incompetence” to describe a lack of ability or knowledge that can have negative consequences. Be cautious when using this word, as it can come across as accusatory or critical.
Cultural References
The term “incompetence” has been used in various forms of media, including films, literature, and television shows, to describe characters’ or organizations’ inability to perform a task or function effectively.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“A lack of competence”
Related Words or Phrases
- Competence
- Incompetency
- Inertia
Collocations
- Incompetence leads to failure
- A lack of competence results in poor performance
Frequency of Use
According to Google Ngram Viewer, the usage of “incompetence” has been steadily increasing since the 1980s.
Common Misspellings
- incompitence
- incapitency
- incompitency