n.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )in- ' käm-p ə -t ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French incompétent, from in- + compétent competent
Date: 1595
1 : not legally qualified
2 : inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
3 a : lacking the qualities needed for effective action b : unable to function properly < incompetent heart valves>
– incompetent noun
– in · com · pe · tent · ly adverb