inapt

UK/ɪn'æpt/US/in'æpt/

IELTSB2

Definitions

adj.

Not suitable or appropriate; out of place

不恰当的，不合适的

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

in-not, opposite of

aptfit, suitable, fasten

=inapt

in- (not) + apt (fitting) = not fitting. Unlike inept (which keeps the -ept spelling and means clumsy/incompetent), inapt keeps -apt and stays close to apt's "suitable" sense: it means simply unsuitable or inappropriate, not bungling.

Root apt still carries 19 more words

Example Sentences

1.
The comparison felt inapt and confused the audience.
2.
His cheerful tone was inapt for such a solemn occasion.

Easily Confused

inapt vs inept — Both are in- + apt, but they split: inapt (with -apt) means unsuitable, inappropriate (an inapt remark); inept (with -ept) means clumsy, incompetent (an inept attempt). Inapt judges the fit of a thing to a situation; inept judges a person's skill.

← Back to apt