Definition of "inchoate" in English

adjective

1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.

2. Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.

3. (law) Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.

   • Congress considers the inchoate offenses of attempt and conspiracy, even conspiracy without an overt act, to be just as serious as the federal substantive drug offenses which they contemplate.

noun

1. (rare) A beginning, an immature start.

verb

1. (transitive) To begin or start (something).

2. (transitive) To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc.

3. (intransitive) To make a start.