competent
KOM-puh-tuhnt
Competent (adj) means having enough skill, knowledge, or ability to do something properly. Example: “He is a competent driver, though he rarely goes on motorways.”
adj
1
Having enough skill, knowledge, or ability to do something properly.
"He is a competent driver, though he rarely goes on motorways."
"She's a competent surgeon with years of experience."
"The team needs a competent manager to keep things on track."
2
Having the legal authority or jurisdiction to deal with a matter.
"Only a competent authority can grant permission for this kind of building work."
"The complaint must go to the competent tribunal in your region."
"The case was referred to a competent court."
How to use competent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGood enough at a job or task to be trusted with it.
Common pairings
competent authority
perfectly competent
competent professional
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more competent
- Superlative
- most competent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He is a _____ driver, though he rarely goes on motorways.
Etymology
From Latin competens, present participle of competere, "to be fit or capable."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for competent
See all rhymes for competent →Frequently asked questions
What does “competent” mean?
The word “competent” means having enough skill, knowledge, or ability to do something properly. In plain terms, good enough at a job or task to be trusted with it.
How do you pronounce “competent”?
“Competent” is pronounced KOM-puh-tuhnt (/ˈkɒmpətənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “competent” in a sentence?
Here is “competent” used in a sentence: “She's a competent surgeon with years of experience.”
What is the opposite of “competent”?
The opposite of “competent” — its antonyms — is incompetent.
What part of speech is “competent”?
“Competent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “competent” come from?
The word “competent” comes from Latin. From Latin competens, present participle of competere, "to be fit or capable.".
Is “competent” a common word?
“Competent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “competent” have?
“Competent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having enough skill, knowledge, or ability to do something properly.
What is the difference between 'competent' and 'proficient'?
Competent means having enough skill to do something properly, meeting the required standard. Proficient suggests a higher level, describing someone who is well practised and highly skilled.
Does 'competent' mean excellent?
No. Competent describes someone who is adequately skilled and able to do a job properly, not someone who is outstanding. It signals meeting a standard rather than exceeding it.
What is the difference between 'competent' and 'capable'?
The two overlap, but capable often stresses the potential or capacity to do something, while competent stresses proven, adequate skill. A person can be capable of learning a task before they are competent at it.
