competency

[kom-pi-tuh n-see]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR competency ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural com·pe·ten·cies.

competence(defs 1–4).

Origin of competency

1585–95; (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin competentia suitability, competence (Latin: proportion). See competent, -cy

Related formsnon·com·pe·ten·cy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for competency

capability, proficiency, expertise, aptitude, skill, competence, capacity, faculty

Examples from the Web for competency

Contemporary Examples of competency

Many other factors would come into play, including the competency and platforms of her opponents, both Democrat and Republican.
Hillary’s Book Sales Are Weak by Clinton Standards
Jason Pinter
June 18, 2014
“They tried to question her competency and she was like that for years and years,” he said.
Etta James’s Son Donto Says Addiction Was Part of Famed Singer’s Life
Christine Pelisek
November 15, 2012
So stubborn was she, in fact, that Mason requested she be examined for competency.
Death-Penalty Issue, Abuse Defense: 7 Revelations in Casey Anthony Book
November 16, 2011

Historical Examples of competency

The Assistant Commissioner did not seem to refuse it a certain amount of competency.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
As the exercise of his foresight will enable him to acquire a competency in that time.
The Proverbs of Scotland
Alexander Hislop
She may not be satisfied with what you consider a competency.
Won from the Waves
W.H.G. Kingston
I enjoy a competency—nay, much more—and yet, they talk to me of dying.
Rattlin the Reefer
Edward Howard
Competency is equal to the occasion, readiness prompt for the occasion.
English Synonyms and Antonyms
James Champlin Fernald

British Dictionary definitions for competency

competency

noun plural -cies

law capacity to testify in a court of law; eligibility to be sworn

a less common word for competence (def. 1), competence (def. 2)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for competency

1590s, "rivalry;" c.1600, "sufficiency to satisfy the wants of life," from Latin competentia "meeting together, agreement, symmetry," from competens, present participle of competere (see compete). Meaning "sufficiency of qualification" is recorded from 1797.