Incompetent vs. Incompetence — What's the Difference?

Lacking qualities necessary for effective conduct or action

The quality or state of being incompetent.

Inadequate for or unsuited to a particular purpose or application

Inability to perform; lack of competence; ineptitude.

Not functioning properly in the body

The quality or state of being incompetent; lack of physical, intellectual, or moral ability; lack of qualifications or training (for a particular task); insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child for hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts.

Not legally qualified, as testimony that does not meet the standards for admissibility or a juror whose personal interest in the outcome of the case does not allow that juror to serve impartially.

Lack of competency or legal fitness; incapacity; disqualification, as of a person to be heard as a witness, or to act as a juror, or of a judge to try a cause.

Lacking sufficient mental ability or awareness

Lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications

An incompetent person.

Inability of a part or organ to function properly

Unskilled; lacking the degree of ability that would normally be expected.

Unable to make rational decisions; insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.

Opening too early during pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage or premature birth.

(geology) Not resistant to deformation or flow.

A person who is incompetent.

Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit.

Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a person professedly wanting in religious belief is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity; incompetent evidence; a mentally defective person is incompetent to care for himself and requires a legal guardian.

Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized power; not permissible.

Someone who is not competent to take effective action

Not qualified or suited for a purpose;

Showing lack of skill or aptitude;

Not doing a good job;

Not meeting requirements;