competent

com·pe·tent

adjective \ˈkäm-pə-tənt\

Definition of COMPETENT

1

: proper or rightly pertinent

2

: having requisite or adequate ability or qualities : fit <a competent teacher> <a competent piece of work>

3

: legally qualified or adequate <a competent witness>

4

: having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way; specifically : having the capacity to respond (as by producing an antibody) to an antigenic determinant <immunologically competent cells>

— com·pe·tent·ly adverb

Examples of COMPETENT

1. The defendant was declared competent to stand trial.
2. <any competent mechanic should be able to fix that>
3. … he was tolerated, if not endorsed as the competent painter he was. —Markus Zusak, The Book Thief, 2005
4. The crafting of fine violins has proceeded for centuries as a secret art, handed down through apprenticeships from generation to generation. It takes 8 years, at least, to train a competent craftsman, decades to hone a master. —Richard Lipkin, Science News, 3 Sept. 1994
5. “Resort cities're transient places,” the detective argued. “… That doesn't mean the police aren't competent.” —Joseph Wambaugh, The Secrets of Harry Bright,1985
6. … I discovered that Lieutenant Lincoln—a much-admired man hereabouts, and, I imagine, an exceedingly competent physician—was from Worcester … —Alexander Woollcott, letter, 2 Oct. 1917

Origin of COMPETENT

Middle English, suitable, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin competent-, competens, from present participle of competere

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to COMPETENT

Synonyms

able, capable, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable, on the ball

Antonyms

incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified

Related Words

accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran; overqualified; prepared, schooled, trained; apt, ready, willing; all-around (also all-round), protean, versatile

Near Antonyms

inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful; unprepared, unschooled, untrained; beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

See Synonym Discussion at sufficient

com·pe·tent

adjective \ˈkäm-pət-ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of COMPETENT

: having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way; specifically : having the capacity to respond (as by producing an antibody) to an antigenic determinant <immunologically competent cells>