adj. & n.
adj. 1 (often foll. by to + infin.) not qualified or able to perform a particular task or function (an incompetent builder). 2 showing a lack of skill (an incompetent performance). 3 Med. (esp. of a valve or sphincter) not able to perform its function.
n. an incompetent person. incompetence n. incompetency n. incompetently adv.
[ F incompétent or LL incompetens (as IN-(1), COMPETENT) ]