WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
in•com•pet•ence /ɪnˈkɑmpɪtəns/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]the condition of being unable to act with legal effectiveness:incompetence to stand trial. See -pet-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- the quality or condition of being incompetent:transferred because of his incompetence.
in•com•pe•tence
(in kom′pi təns),USA pronunciation n.
- the quality or condition of being incompetent;
lack of ability. - Lawthe condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.
- variant (with -ence for -ency) of earlier incompetency. See incompetent, -cy 1655–65
'incompetence' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Buckingham
- Peter Principle
- bungle
- confession
- disability
- dissemble
- ejaculatory incompetence
- failing
- fish
- inability
- incompetent
- nothing
- thoroughgoing
- tolerate
- unreality
- whipping boy