INCOMPETENCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does incompetence mean? 

• INCOMPETENCE (noun)
  The noun INCOMPETENCE has 2 senses:

1. lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications

2. inability of a part or organ to function properly

  Familiarity information: INCOMPETENCE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INCOMPETENCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

incompetence; incompetency

Hypernyms ("incompetence" is a kind of...):

inability; unfitness (lacking the power to perform)

Antonym:

competence (the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually)

Derivation:

incompetent (not meeting requirements)

incompetent (not qualified or suited for a purpose)

incompetent (not doing a good job)

incompetent (showing lack of skill or aptitude)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Inability of a part or organ to function properly

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("incompetence" is a kind of...):

disease (an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "incompetence"):

hypogonadism (incompetence of the gonads (especially in the male with low testosterone); results in deficient development of secondary sex characteristics and (in prepubertal males) a body with long legs and a short trunk)

valvular incompetence (inability of a bodily valve to close completely)

 Context examples 

It is chronic in nature and usually caused by incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, and may result in injury to the esophageal mucosal.

(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

It is usually caused by incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter.

(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, NCI Thesaurus)

His sister and brother-in-law seconded him; but they were frustrated by their heavy outfit and their own incompetence.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Other problems with the cervix include: • Cervicitis - inflammation of the cervix. This is usually from an infection. • Cervical incompetence - This can happen during pregnancy. The opening of the cervix widens long before the baby is due. • Cervical polyps and cysts - abnormal growths on the cervix

(Cervix Disorders, NIH)