competency
Americannoun
noun
-
law capacity to testify in a court of law; eligibility to be sworn
-
a less common word for competence competence
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of competency
First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French, from Medieval Latin competentia “expertise, suitability,” in Latin: “agreement, proportion, symmetry,” equivalent to competent + -cy
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How does competency compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If you have competency in something, you're well-qualified to do it, whether that's baseball, business management, or underwater basket weaving. Competency means "capability." Although we use it to mean someone has a sufficient qualification, it comes from the word compete, meaning that someone with competency is good enough to compete with other candidates. If you pass the medical board exams, then you have medical competency. Most jobs require that you show competency, either through certification, or on-the-job performance. If you keep faking injuries to get out of saving people, someone will eventually question your competency as a lifeguard.
Vocabulary lists containing competency
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 9
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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"CLEP Principles of Management," Vocabulary from Chapter 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I think the correct way to think about it is all these businesses have a core competency which still brings in material cash flow,” Morningstar’s Khan said.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
Another letter says staff must undergo mandatory “cultural competency training that focuses on residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
The results clearly pointed to writers walking away with greater feelings of satisfaction and competency, as well as a more meaningful connection to their output, when they worked through the craft without A.I. assistance.
From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026
The audio was part of more than 100 phone calls between the ex-fashion boss and Matthew Smith referred to during a four-day mental competency hearing this week on Long Island.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
He had masqueraded at the hospital for eight years conducting competency evaluations on people accused of crimes before his fraud was uncovered.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
