competence

American  

[kom-pi-tuhns] / ˈkɒm pɪ təns /

noun

1. the quality of being competent; adequacy; possession of required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity.

   He hired her because of her competence as an accountant.

2. an income sufficient to furnish the necessities and modest comforts of life.

3. sufficiency; a sufficient quantity.

4. Law. (of a witness, a party to a contract, etc.) legal capacity or qualification based on the meeting of certain minimum requirements of age, soundness of mind, citizenship, or the like.

5. Embryology. the sum total of possible developmental responses of any group of blastemic cells under varied external conditions.

6. Linguistics. the implicit, internalized knowledge of a language that a speaker possesses and that enables the speaker to produce and understand the language.

7. Immunology. immunocompetence.

8. Geology. the ability of a fluid medium, as a stream or the wind, to move and carry particulate matter, measured by the size or weight of the largest particle that can be transported.

---

competence British  

/ ˈkɒmpɪtəns /

noun

1. the condition of being capable; ability

2. a sufficient income to live on

3. the state of being legally competent or qualified

4. embryol the ability of embryonic tissues to react to external conditions in a way that influences subsequent development

5. linguistics (in transformational grammar) the form of the human language faculty, independent of its psychological embodiment in actual human beings Compare performance langue parole

---

competence Scientific  

/ kŏm′pĭ-təns /

1. The ability of bacteria to be undergo genetic transformation.

2. The ability to respond immunologically to an antigen, as in an immune cell responding to a virus.

3. The ability to function normally because of structural integrity, as in a heart valve.

---

Etymology

Origin of competence

First recorded in 1585–95; compet(ent) + -ence

Explanation

If you have competence, you're qualified or well prepared to do something. A driving test will show if you have competence behind the wheel. If your dad discovers a new dent in his car each time you've borrowed it, don't be surprised if he questions your competence as a driver. The words competence and competency are sometimes used interchangeably, although competence is better when describing the quality of being well qualified. Competency is more appropriate in a legal sense, referring to the ability of a person to make decisions or stand trial.

Example Sentences

“Technology can assist legal practice, but it does not replace an attorney’s duty of competence, diligence, and honesty.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

I don’t think voters would mind boring at all, if it was dolled up with credibility and competence.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The crew handled the systems with competence and grace.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The mission is more evidence of U.S. military competence and bravery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

I think because I mentioned that I had done a bit of hiking in England, he assumed some measure of competence on my part.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• appropriateness
• capability
• capacity
• competency
• expertise
• fitness
• know-how
• proficiency
• qualification
• savvy
• skill
• suitability