ineptitude
UK: ɪˈnɛptɪtjuːd | US: ɪˈnɛptɪtuːd
n. lack of skill or ability; incompetence
n. a clumsy or unsuitable action or quality
ineptitude = in<not> + ept<skillful> + itude<noun suffix>
- in: Prefix meaning "not" (from Latin in-).
- ept: Root derived from Latin aptus (fit, suitable), later adapted to mean "skillful" in English.
- itude: Noun-forming suffix indicating a state or condition (from Latin -itudo).
Etymology Origin:
The word ineptitude traces back to Latin ineptus (in- "not" + aptus "fit"), which evolved into French inepte. The English form retained the negative prefix in- and combined it with ept (a back-formation from aptus) and the suffix -itude to denote a state of being unskilled or unsuitable. The logical progression reflects a clear contrast: aptitude (skill) vs. ineptitude (lack of skill).
His ineptitude in handling the project led to costly delays.
The manager was fired due to her ineptitude in team coordination.
Critics mocked the film for its technical ineptitude.
Her ineptitude with technology made the task take twice as long.
The government's ineptitude during the crisis angered the public.