# competent

/ˈkɑmpətɪnt/ (US) · /kˈɒmpɪtənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/competent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. skilled and capable

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

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

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

having the legal power or right to make a decision.

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

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

### 3. adequate or good enough

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- She gave a competent performance, though it wasn't the best of the night.
- The report provides a competent overview of the situation, though it lacks the depth required for a final decision.

### 4. biological capacity

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The scientists treated the bacteria to make them competent for the experiment.
- In molecular biology, creating chemically competent cells is a standard procedure for successful bacterial transformation.

### 5. geological strength

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

strong enough to keep its shape under pressure.

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

- The thick layer of sandstone acted as a competent bed during the mountain's formation.
- Competent strata tend to maintain their thickness when folded, whereas incompetent layers may thin or flow under the same tectonic pressure.

## Examples

- She is a very competent lawyer who wins most of her cases.
- The manager is looking for a competent assistant who can handle complex scheduling without constant supervision.
- While the candidate lacked years of experience, her portfolio demonstrated a competent grasp of architectural principles that convinced the board of her potential.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.