incompetence

/ˌɪnkəmpɪtəns/

lack of ability or skill

The project failed due to the manager's incompetence.

The manager lacked the necessary skills to lead the project successfully.

formal

The state of being unqualified or unable to perform a task effectively due to lack of skill, knowledge, or ability.

The incompetence of the new employee led to multiple errors in the report.

The new employee's lack of skill caused several mistakes in the report.

The government's incompetence in handling the crisis worsened the situation.

The government's inability to manage the crisis effectively made things worse.

Often used to describe a person or organization's failure to meet expected standards.

Collocations

gross incompetencea severe lack of ability or skillprofessional incompetencea lack of skill or knowledge in a professional contextincompetence in leadershipa lack of ability to lead effectively

lacking the necessary ability or skill

Use 'incompetence' in formal or professional settings to describe a lack of ability.

Avoid using 'incompetence' excessively, as it can sound harsh or judgmental.

From Latin 'incompetentia', meaning 'inability', from 'in-' (not) + 'competentia' (ability).

The word is often used in formal or critical contexts to describe a failure to perform adequately.

in-

not

prefix

competence

ability or skill

root

English Dictionary