inaptitude

[ in-ap-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. lack of aptitude; unfitness.
2. unskillfulness; lack of dexterity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaptitude¹

First recorded in 1610–20; in- ³ + aptitude

Example Sentences

I visit Marconi less often now, but more from inaptitude than fear.

From New York Times

We owed so much to Herbert’s ever cheerful industry and readiness, that I often wondered how I had conceived that old idea of his inaptitude, until I was one day enlightened by the reflection, that perhaps the inaptitude had never been in him at all, but had been in me.

From Literature

In a television interview Friday, Erdogan accused leaders of Iraq’s autonomous region of “serious political inaptitude” for going ahead with plans to hold the vote on Sept. 25.

From Seattle Times

But recent events have led to more reflection upon this point; so it will not astonish our readers if we point oat one or two, such as the decay of thoughtful, systematic, methodical intelligence among them, in comparison with Europeans; their narrowness of mind; their inaptitude for general ideas; and their sensibly diminishing delicacy of mind.

From Project Gutenberg

As in many other diseases of slow development, the symptoms of the prodromic stage are certain not easily defined feelings of indisposition, such as an occasional sense of chilliness, inaptitude for mental exertion, and especially a tired feeling in the lower extremities.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• failure
• impotence
• incompetence
• inefficiency
• ineptitude
• lack
• shortcoming
• weakness