inept

/ɪˈnept/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnept/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈnept/ (ame, mw)

inept — adjective

  • ineptpositive
  • more ineptcomparative
  • most ineptsuperlative

1. lacking the natural ability, judgment, or experience to do something effectively

1.形容詞B2
釋義

lacking the natural ability, judgment, or experience to do something effectively, so that the result feels awkward or poorly done.

例句

Diego felt completely inept when he tried to assemble the bookshelf without instructions.

collocation: 'completely inept' as intensifier pattern

Chitra's inept handling of the customer complaint only made the situation worse.

collocation: inept handling of [something]

同義詞
  • clumsy

    more about physical awkwardness than lack of skill or judgment

  • incompetent

    stronger and more general; suggests a total lack of qualification

  • unskilled

    neutral, factual; does not carry the judgmental tone of 'inept'

  • bungling

    emphasises making careless mistakes; more informal

反義詞
  • skilled

    possessing the necessary ability

  • adept

    very good at something; more formal

文法句型

inept at [noun/gerund]

inept in [noun/gerund]

inept [noun] — attributive use

用法筆記

Often describes a specific area of inability rather than a person's overall capability — 'inept at cooking' does not mean the person is generally incompetent.

常見錯誤

❌She is inept to drive.
✅She is inept at driving.
💡'inept' is followed by 'at' or 'in', not the infinitive 'to'.
❌He is inept of doing the job.
✅He is inept at doing the job.
💡'inept' does not take 'of'; use 'at' or 'in'.