Inept

/ɪˈnɛpt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

having or showing no skill; clumsy.

His inept handling of the situation only made things worse.

unpleasantly awkward or clumsy; incompetent.

The inept joke fell flat at the serious meeting.

lacking in judgment or sense; foolish.

Her inept comments during the debate lost her many supporters.

not suitable or fitting; inappropriate.

It was an inept remark to make at such a sensitive moment.

From Latin ineptus, meaning 'unfit, unsuitable'.

inept at

lacking skill or ability in a specific area.

ineptitude

the quality of being inept; lack of skill or ability.

inept comment

a remark that shows a lack of sensitivity or appropriateness.

clumsy

lacking grace in movement.

incompetent

not having the necessary skills or ability.

awkward

causing or feeling embarrassment.

totally unskilled.

He's so inept at sports, he can't even throw a ball.

a memorable failure.

That presentation was an inept disaster.