competent

adjective

com·​pe·​tent ˈkäm-pə-tənt How to pronounce competent (audio)
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: such as
a
: having the capacity to initiate an immune response following exposure to an antigen
antibody production by immunologically competent B cells
b
of a bacterial cell : capable of taking up exogenous DNA (as from a plasmid) during genetic transformation
natural and artificially-produced competent cells
competently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for competent

sufficient, enough, adequate, competent mean being what is necessary or desirable.

sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end.

had no competent notion of what was going on

Example Sentences

… he was tolerated, if not endorsed as the competent painter he was. Markus Zusak, The Book Thief, 2005
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
"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
… 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
The defendant was declared competent to stand trial. any competent mechanic should be able to fix that See More
Recent Examples on the Web Positives: White is a competent run defender with the size and strength to set the edge. Katie Mcinerney, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023 In February, his attorneys sought to have the case dismissed, saying McCarrick, who lives at a residence for troubled priests in Missouri, has dementia and is not competent to stand trial. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2023 Now healthy, Denver has the top seed, a competent roster and one of the best players in the world. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2023 Overview On its own, the 2023 Chevy Equinox is a competent mainstream compact SUV. Frankie Cruz, Car and Driver, 14 Mar. 2023 Having a team that is competent and committed could prove to be indispensable at times of crisis when your whole company needs to search together for creative solutions to exogenous challenges. Peter Abualzolof, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 Of course, this is the most competent scientific approach to improving prostate health, reducing prostate size, and fighting prostate diseases. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023 When a lawyer cannot provide competent representation, the lawyer must decline the case.4 1 Alaska R. Prof. Conduct 1.1(a) and 1.3. 2 Alaska R. Prof. Conduct 1.1(a). Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Feb. 2023 Our current approach to providing citywide, culturally competent services far exceeds the limited services previously available to those in need of mental health care. Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'competent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of competent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near competent

Cite this Entry

“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competent. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

competent

adjective
com·​pe·​tent ˈkäm-pət-ənt How to pronounce competent (audio)
: having the necessary ability or qualities : capable
a competent musician
competently adverb

Medical Definition

competent

adjective
com·​pe·​tent ˈkäm-pət-ənt How to pronounce competent (audio)
: 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

Legal Definition

competent

adjective
com·​pe·​tent ˈkäm-pə-tənt How to pronounce competent (audio)
1
: having or showing requisite or adequate ability or qualities
a competent lawyer
competent representation by counsel
2
a
: free from addiction or mental defect that renders one incapable of taking care of oneself or one's property
b
: capable of understanding one's position as a criminal defendant and the nature of the criminal proceedings and able to participate in one's defense compare capacity, incompetent, insanity
3
: legally qualified or adequate: as
a
: having the necessary power or authority
a judge of competent jurisdictionU.S. Code
b
: qualified for presentation in court : admissible as evidence or capable of giving admissible evidence
a competent witness
c
: intelligent
a competent waiver

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