competent

[kom-pi-tuhnt]

adjective

1. having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose; properly qualified.

   He is perfectly competent to manage the bank branch.

   Synonyms: proficient, capable, fit

2. adequate but not exceptional.

3. Law.,  (of a witness, a party to a contract, etc.) having legal competence, as by meeting certain minimum requirements of age, soundness of mind, or the like.

4. Geology.,  (of a bed or stratum) able to undergo folding without flowage or change in thickness.

competent

/ ˈkɒmpɪtənt /

adjective

1. having sufficient skill, knowledge, etc; capable

2. suitable or sufficient for the purpose

   a competent answer

3. law (of a witness) having legal capacity; qualified to testify, etc

4. belonging as a right; appropriate

Other Word Forms

• competently adverb
• competentness noun
• noncompetent adjective
• ultracompetent adjective
• uncompetent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of competent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin competent- (stem of competēns, present participle of competere “to meet, agree”); compete, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of competent¹

C14: from Latin competēns, from competere to be competent; see _compete

Synonym Study

See able.

Example Sentences

"We need bold, competent and creative new leadership at CDC, people able and willing to chart a new course," he said.

From BBC

The letter reflected on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, pointing out that the storm had claimed more than 1,800 lives and had highlighted the need for competent American disaster-management leadership.

From BBC

While signing an executive order to establish an Olympic task force, the president also took a swipe at Mayor Karen Bass, calling her “not very competent.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now, in the absence of more competent advisors, the president is indulging his most dangerous authoritarian impulses.

From Salon

What he didn’t say was that the skepticism was promoted by Kennedy and other anti-vaxxers denigrating the technology; a competent and responsible NIH chief would be defending a technological innovation, not magnifying disinformation about it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adequate 
• capable 
• decent 
• efficient 
• proficient 
• qualified 
• skilled