# incompetent

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪnˈkɒmpətənt/ · frequency rank #12,078

## Definitions
1. Lacking the degree of ability and responsibility necessary to do a task successfully.
2. Unable to make rational decisions; insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
3. Opening too early during pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage or premature birth.
4. Not resistant to deformation or flow.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French incompétent, from Late Latin incompetentem, from Latin incompetēns, equivalent to in- + competent.

## Easily confused with
- **incompetence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incompetence-vs-incompetent)

## Common misspellings (17)
`icnompetent`, `inccompetent`, `incmopetent`, `incomeptent`, `incommpetent`, `incompeetnt`, `incompetennt`, `incompetentt`, `incompetetn`, `incompetnet`, `incompettent`, `incomppetent`, `incompteent`, `incopmetent`, `inncompetent`, `inocmpetent`, `nicompetent`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/incompetent