inept

Pronunciation: /ɪˈnɛpt/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective not elegant or graceful in expression
  2. adjective generally incompetent and ineffectual
  3. adjective revealing lack of perceptiveness or judgment or finesse

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- + aptus (whence English apt).

In classic literature

Synonyms

awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, inapt, ill-chosen

Semantic network

Similar
infelicitous

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