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Incompetent vs Unable - What's the difference?

incompetent | unable | Related terms |

Incompetent is a related term of unable.


As adjectives the difference between incompetent and unable

is that incompetent is incompetent while unable is not able; lacking a certain ability.

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.

    • unable

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Not able; lacking a certain ability.
  • *{{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 21, author=Tom Rostance, work=BBC Sport
    • , title= Fulham 0-5 Man Utd , passage=Fulham switched off as Giggs took a quick corner to Valencia. He played it back to Giggs, whose cross was headed in by Nani with the lurking Rooney unable to add a touch. }}
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
    • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […].  Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […]  But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul.}}
    Are you unable to mind your own business or something?

    Antonyms

    * able

    Anagrams

    *