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
• noncompetent adjective
• ultracompetent adjective
• uncompetent adjective
• competentness noun

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

"Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures."

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“As the name suggests, a revocable living trust can be altered or revoked by the grantor at any time during their lifetime if their circumstances change, so long as they’re mentally competent.”

Read more on MarketWatch

As a manager, I had some absolutely fantastic defenders at all of my clubs and most of them were competent in possession.

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Bruce did what a competent reporter is supposed to do.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“They want to know who’s capable and competent and can do the job.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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