inept

Where does the word "inept" come from? It comes from Latin aptus, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Inept’s story begins in Latin: aptus meant “fit, suitable.” Fit, suitable, combined with in- (not). Within Latin, it grew into ineptus by ancient. Unfit, absurd, from in- and aptus. It reached English by 1600s as inept. Settled as the English word for lacking skill or good judgment. Today, inept means lacking skill or competence, or clumsy and awkward.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient aptus "fit, suitable", fit, suitable, combined with in- (not).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient ineptus "unfit, absurd", unfit, absurd, from in- and aptus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s inept "lacking skill or good judgment", settled as the English word for lacking skill or good judgment.