1
: lacking skill or ability
an inept mechanic
He was completely inept at sports.
a socially inept teenager [=a teenager who is shy or awkward around other people]
2
: showing a lack of skill or ability : not done well
inept planning
He made an inept attempt to apologize.
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/inept. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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