INEPT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inept mean? 

• INEPT (adjective)
  The adjective INEPT has 3 senses:

1. not elegant or graceful in expression

2. generally incompetent and ineffectual

3. revealing lack of perceptiveness or judgment or finesse

  Familiarity information: INEPT used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INEPT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not elegant or graceful in expression

Synonyms:

awkward; clumsy; cumbersome; ill-chosen; inapt; inept

Context example:

if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?

Similar:

infelicitous (not appropriate in application; defective)

Derivation:

ineptness (unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Generally incompetent and ineffectual

Synonyms:

feckless; inept

Context example:

inept handling of the account

Similar:

incompetent (not qualified or suited for a purpose)

Derivation:

ineptness (the quality of having the wrong properties for a specific purpose)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Revealing lack of perceptiveness or judgment or finesse

Synonyms:

inept; tactless

Context example:

it was tactless to bring up those disagreeable

Similar:

maladroit (not adroit)

Derivation:

ineptness (the quality of having the wrong properties for a specific purpose)