Useless vs Incompetent - What's the difference?

As adjectives the difference between useless and incompetent

is that useless is without use or possibility to be used while incompetent is unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.

a person who is incompetent.

(en-adj)

Without use or possibility to be used.

This fork has prongs that are bent. It's useless now.

Unhelpful, not useful; pointless (of an action).

I think it's useless to keep this discussion going. It's like talking to a wall.

I tried my best to make him quit smoking, but my efforts were useless . He now smokes six packs a day.

(pejorative, of a person) good-for-nothing; not dependable.

Bill never mows the lawn, takes out the trash or anything. He's useless , but I love him anyways.

(colloquial, of a person) unable to do well at a particular task or thing. Useless is mildly insulting.

My brother is useless at most computer games, but he is an awesome PS2 player.

Why do you keep trying? You're obviously useless at it.

* (good-for-nothing) good-for-nothing * (unable to do well) unskillful

* skillful, useful

* uselessly * uselessness

(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.

* See also

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

(en noun)

A person who is incompetent.