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REFERENCE

competent

adj.
US //ˈkɑmpətɪnt// UK //kˈɒmpɪtənt// com·pe·tent
  1. 1 skilled and capable (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having the right skills or knowledge to do a job well.

    possessing the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to perform a task to a satisfactory standard.

    Example

    The new manager is very competent and has already improved the team's results.

    Example

    While he may not be the most creative designer, he is highly competent and consistently delivers projects on schedule.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'at' or an infinitive 'to'.
  2. 2 legal authority (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    having the legal power or right to make a decision.

    having the necessary legal jurisdiction or authority to deal with a particular matter.

    Example

    The case was moved to a competent court that had the power to rule on it.

    Example

    The defense argued that the witness was not mentally competent to testify regarding the events of that night.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'competent authority' or 'competent court'.
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  1. 3 adequate or good enough (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    good enough for what is needed, even if it is not excellent.

    satisfactory or adequate for a specific purpose; meeting a minimum required standard.

    Example

    She gave a competent performance, though it wasn't the best of the night.

    Example

    The report provides a competent overview of the situation, though it lacks the depth required for a final decision.
  2. 4 biological capacity (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    able to take in foreign DNA or respond to a stimulus.

    referring to a cell's ability to take up extracellular DNA from its environment.

    Example

    The scientists treated the bacteria to make them competent for the experiment.

    Example

    In molecular biology, creating chemically competent cells is a standard procedure for successful bacterial transformation.
  3. 5 geological strength (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    strong enough to keep its shape under pressure.

    describing a rock layer that is strong enough to support a load or resist flow during folding.

    Example

    The thick layer of sandstone acted as a competent bed during the mountain's formation.

    Example

    Competent strata tend to maintain their thickness when folded, whereas incompetent layers may thin or flow under the same tectonic pressure.
Origin

From Middle English competent, conpetent, from Old French competent (modern French compétent), from Latin competens, competentem, present participle of competō (“coincide, be equal to, be capable of”). Compare Dutch competent (“competent”), German kompetent (“competent”), Danish kompetent (“competent”).

Word family

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