Incompetencies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The absence of required skills or expertise in designated fields
2. The existence of shortcomings or failures in one’s competence or capabilities
3. The state of lacking necessary skills or qualifications ; shortcomings that result in inadequate job or task performance

Etymology: "Incompetencies" is simply the plural of "incompetency," so the history belongs to the singular. "Incompetency" is formed from "incompetent" plus the suffix "-cy," which turns an adjective into a noun of state or quality, as in "accuracy" or "fluency." The base adjective "incompetent" combines the prefix "in-," meaning "not," with "competent," which comes from Latin "competere," to be suited to or to strive together, from which the sense of being adequate or fit for a task developed. The noun is therefore a straightforward English formation: "incompetent" supplies the negated quality of being unfit for a task, and "-cy" converts that quality into a thing that can be counted. Because it names a condition rather than a single act, its plural is used when several distinct failings or lacks are being discussed.

Synonyms: inadequacies, ineptitudes