Incompetent vs Capable - What's the difference?
incompetent | capable |
Unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.
Unable to make rational decisions, insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.
(obsolete) Of sufficient capacity or size for holding, containing, receiving or taking in. Construed with of'', ''for or an infinitive.
* 1775 Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland'' (''Works 10.479):
As adjectives the difference between incompetent and capable
is that incompetent is unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability while capable is able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.As a noun incompetent
is a person who is incompetent.incompetent
English
Adjective
(head)- Having an incompetent lawyer may be grounds for a retrial, but the lawyer in question probably doesn't know that.
- The charged was judged incompetent to stand trial, at least until his medication started working.
Synonyms
* See alsoUsage notes
The form incompetent of , as in "I am incompetent of doing anything!" is heard (US). It is incorrect, the intended word is incapable.capable
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- She is capable and efficient.
- He does not need help; he is capable of eating on his own.
- As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused.
- That fact is not capable of proof.
- He has begun a road capable of a wheel-carriage.