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Idiot vs Incompetent - What's the difference?

idiot | incompetent |

As a noun idiot

is (slang|derogatory) a proponent of intelligent design.

As an adjective incompetent is

incompetent.

idiot

English

Alternative forms

* eejit * idjit, idget (eye dialect)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (pejorative) A person of low general intelligence.
  • usage note This may be used pejoratively, as an insult. It is a weak insult, however, and between close friends, family members, or lovers, is often completely nonaggressive.
  • (obsolete, medicine, psychology) A person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal four-year-old.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * genius

    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.