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Deficient vs Incompetent - What's the difference?

deficient | incompetent | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between deficient and incompetent

is that deficient is lacking something essential; often construed with in'' while incompetent is unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.

As a noun incompetent is

a person who is incompetent.

deficient

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Lacking something essential; often construed with'' in .
  • Insufficient or inadequate in amount.

    • Related terms

    * defect * defection * defective * defector * deficiency * deficit

    External links

    * * ----

    incompetent

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • Unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.
    • Having an incompetent lawyer may be grounds for a retrial, but the lawyer in question probably doesn't know that.
  • Unable to make rational decisions, insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
    • The charged was judged incompetent to stand trial, at least until his medication started working.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Usage notes

    The form incompetent of , as in "I am incompetent of doing anything!" is heard (US). It is incorrect, the intended word is incapable.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who is incompetent.