competent
- 01 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.
Simple“The new manager is very competent and has already improved the team's results.”
In context“While he may not be the most creative designer, he is highly competent and consistently delivers projects on schedule.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'at' or an infinitive 'to'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
having the legal power or right to make a decision.
having the necessary legal jurisdiction or authority to deal with a particular matter.
Simple“The case was moved to a competent court that had the power to rule on it.”
In context“The defense argued that the witness was not mentally competent to testify regarding the events of that night.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'competent authority' or 'competent court'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 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.
Simple“She gave a competent performance, though it wasn't the best of the night.”
In context“The report provides a competent overview of the situation, though it lacks the depth required for a final decision.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The scientists treated the bacteria to make them competent for the experiment.”
In context“In molecular biology, creating chemically competent cells is a standard procedure for successful bacterial transformation.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The thick layer of sandstone acted as a competent bed during the mountain's formation.”
In context“Competent strata tend to maintain their thickness when folded, whereas incompetent layers may thin or flow under the same tectonic pressure.”
Antonyms
“While it is just as difficult to become a competent tabla player as it is to become a competent violinist, tabla is a far more forgiving instrument for those with reduced manual dexterity.”
“And there is Jude, her domineering, malevolently competent cousin, a playwright who “loves to make an entrance”.”
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.