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Ignorant vs Inept - What's the difference?

ignorant | inept |

As a noun ignorant

is ignorant person, ignoramus.

As an adjective inept is

not able to do something; not proficient; displaying incompetence.

ignorant

English

Alternative forms

* ignoraunt (obsolete)

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Unknowledgeable or uneducated; characterized by ignorance.
  • * Tillotson
    • He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.
  • * Dryden
    • Ignorant of guilt, I fear not shame.
  • (slang) Ill-mannered, crude.
    • His manner was at best off-hand, at worst totally ignorant .
  • (obsolete) unknown; undiscovered
  • * Shakespeare
    • ignorant concealment
  • * Shakespeare
    • Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
  • Resulting from ignorance; foolish; silly.
  • * Shakespeare
    • His shipping, / Poor ignorant baubles! — on our terrible seas, / Like eggshells moved.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * ignorantly

    Related terms

    * ignorable * ignoramus * ignorance * ignore

    inept

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not able to do something; not proficient; displaying incompetence
  • Unfit; unsuitable

    • Antonyms

    * adept * skillful

    Related terms

    * apt * aptitude