Definition of INCHOATE

inchoate

Plural: inchoates

Adjective Satellite

  • only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
    • "a vague inchoate idea"

Adj

  • Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
  • Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.
  • Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.

Noun

  • A beginning, an immature start.

Verb

  • To begin or start (something).
  • To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc.
  • To make a start.

Adjective

  • Being in an early stage; not fully formed.

Examples

  • His strategy for the game was still inchoate, lacking clear direction.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin incohātus (“begun, unfinished”), perfect passive participle of incohō (“begin”). Cognate with Spanish incoar (“to initiate, commence, begin”).

Scrabble Score: 13

inchoate: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
inchoate: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
inchoate: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

inchoate: valid Words With Friends Word