What does competent mean?

Definitions for competent
ˈkɒm pɪ təntcom·pe·tent

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word competent.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. competentadjective

    properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient

    "a competent typist"

  2. competentadjective

    adequate for the purpose

    "a competent performance"

  3. competentadjective

    legally qualified or sufficient

    "a competent court"; "competent testimony"

Wiktionary

  1. competentadjective

    Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.

    He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.

  2. competentadjective

    Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.

  3. competentadjective

    Adequate for the purpose

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. COMPETENTadjective

    Etymology: competens, Latin.

    If there be any power in imagination, the distance must be competent, the medium not adverse, and the body apt and proportionate Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 950.

    The greatest captain of the English brought rather a guard than a competent army to recover Ireland. John Davies, on Ireland.

    To draw men from great excess, it is not amiss, though we use them unto somewhat less than is competent. Richard Hooker.

    A competent number of the old being first read, the new should succeed. Richard Hooker, b. v. sect. 40.

    The clergy have gained some insight into men and things, and a competent knowledge of the world. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

    Let us first consider how competent we are for the office. Government of the Tongue, sect. 6.

    That is the privilege of the Infinite Author of things, who never slumbers nor sleeps, but is not competent to any finite being. John Locke.

ChatGPT

  1. competent

    Competent refers to having the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, or qualifications to effectively perform a task or job. It can also imply adequacy or satisfactory performance. Competence involves being well-equipped, capable, proficient, and efficient.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Competentadjective

    answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit

  2. Competentadjective

    rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Competent

    kom′pe-tent, adj. suitable: sufficient: fit: belonging: legally qualified: legitimate.—ns. Com′petence, Com′petency, fitness: capacity: sufficiency: competent circumstances: legal power or capacity.—adv. Com′petently. [Fr.,—L. competĕrecom, with, petĕre, to seek, to strive after.]

Editors Contribution

  1. competent

    Having the accurate and specific ability, experience, knowledge and skills for the role and responsibility.

    She and her husband were so competent at their respective employment.


    Submitted by MaryC on January 25, 2020  

British National Corpus

  1. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'competent' in Adjectives Frequency: #896

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of competent in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of competent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of competent in a Sentence

  1. Lee Simonson:

    Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian.

  2. Salman Khan:

    (The) Government is looking into it, and they are competent and should take this forward. If she agrees and they find her rightful parents, this should definitely be done.

  3. Alice Linehan:

    It’s a shift from teaching fact to teaching attitudes, belief and behavior. does a child get a job because they can read well, write well and have competent math skills, or do they get a job for supporting gay marriage and gun control?

  4. Anthony Borden:

    Jacky was one of the top development professionals working on Iraq, and she devoted nearly 10 years of her life to helping the country, she was extremely bright, highly competent, and well able to handle herself in difficult environments, and she was universally loved. We are in total shock.

  5. Frederick Winslow Taylor:

    Hardly a competent workman can be found who does not devote a considerably amount of time to studying just how slowly he can work and convince his employer that he is going at a good price.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

competent#1#9018#10000

Translations for competent

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"competent." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/competent>.

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    a protective covering (as for a knife or sword)
    A anil
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    C ignominy
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