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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Competency evaluations are rigorous because they connect to a fundamental tenet of the U.S. justice system: that people must be held accountable for violating the law.
From Scientific American • Aug. 17, 2023
“It became this vicious cycle of psychosis, stabilization, then psychosis,” said Greg Jones, a nurse who worked at the Maple Lane Competency Restoration Program near Centralia.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2023
When the district responded with a "Cultural Competency Action Plan," parents revolted, and the diversity issue reportedly became the focal point of typically low-key elections.
From Fox News • Feb. 9, 2022
Jurors had requested copies of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test to examine, and they’ll be able to do so Wednesday.
From Washington Times • Apr. 1, 2015
Competency to discharge the duties of the offices thus given was not once considered.
From Lights and Shadows of New York Life or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City by McCabe, James Dabney
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.
