noun
Uncommon
competency
KOM-puh-tuhn-see
Competency (noun) means the ability or skill needed to perform a particular task; near-identical to competence. Example: “Leadership is one of the core competencies the company looks for.”
noun
1
The ability or skill needed to perform a particular task; near-identical to competence.
"What professional competencies do science teachers need?"
— National Council for Elementary Science (U.S.), Science Education (1961)
"Leadership is one of the core competencies the company looks for."
"The decision was then made to return '91s' and Mk 4s. These are being retained on the Yorkshire routes to keep driver competency in one area, to help with operations."
— Richard Clinnick, Fleet News: LNER to return Class 91s/Mk 4s to East Coast duties (2021)
How to use competency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBasically the same as competence, but often used specifically for a defined skill on a list.
Common mistake
In everyday writing, "competence" and "competency" are interchangeable, though "competency" is more common in HR and business jargon (e.g. "core competencies").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
core competency
competency framework
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Word forms
- Plural
- competencies
Etymology
From Late Latin competentia, a doublet of competence.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for competency
agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
currency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
See all rhymes for competency →
Frequently asked questions
What does “competency” mean?
The word “competency” means the ability or skill needed to perform a particular task; near-identical to competence. In plain terms, basically the same as competence, but often used specifically for a defined skill on a list.
How do you pronounce “competency”?
“Competency” is pronounced KOM-puh-tuhn-see (/ˈkɑm.pə.tən.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “competency” in a sentence?
Here is “competency” used in a sentence: “Leadership is one of the core competencies the company looks for.”
What part of speech is “competency”?
“Competency” is a noun.
Where does the word “competency” come from?
The word “competency” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin competentia, a doublet of competence.
Is “competency” a common word?
“Competency” is an uncommon word in modern English.
