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

How to pronounce competent ?

How to say competent in sign language?

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. Vander Plaats:

    We will be going all in for Sen. Ted Cruz, we have found him as a man of deep character. A man that we can fully trust, who has a consistency of convictions, who loves his god, loves his spouse, and who loves his family. We also see him to be very, very competent. Not always popular, but very competent. He has challenged both sides of the aisle. He understands what it's going to take to get the country out of the mess that we're currently in. We believe that he is exceptionally competent and that adds to his extraordinary leadership.

  2. Tom Donohue:

    People want Congress and the Senate to govern, they want them to be competent.

  3. Angie Kelly:

    It's been kind of a wake-up call, their message is intentionally fuzzy, but yet it's delivered with flawlessly competent clarity. That's a pretty brilliant combination. Those who disagree with Libre and the Koch brothers are really going to need to muscle up.

  4. Jose Maria Sison:

    No, I don't want any position for myself, but you know there are many people who are very competent.

  5. Donald Trump Trump:

    Otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am. If he didn't feel that women were as competent as men, I would be relegated to some role subordinate to my brothers, i think this is one of his great strengths: He fully prioritizes merit and accomplishment and skill and ability over background, education, and gender.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

competent #1#9018#10000

Translations for competent

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"competent ." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 Jun 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/competent+>.

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    the transparent covering of an aircraft cockpit
    A canopy
    B reciprocal
    C mitre
    D breastwork

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