competent
adjectiveattested in dialogue
- //ˈkɒmpətənt//
Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
adjective
- 1
Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.
I believe in that myself because it has been explained by competent men as the convolutions of the grey matter.
That as a competent keyless citizen he had proceeded energetically from the unknown to the known through the incertitude of the void.
The purpose of sharing these accounts – particularly during Women’s History Month – is to show that women, like men, can grow from bumbling neophytes to competent leaders.
- 2
Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.
For any disagreements arising from this contract, the competent court shall be the Springfield Circuit Court.
judicial authority having competent jurisdiction
- 3
Adequate for the purpose.
For if they [birds] had been Viviparous, the burthen of their womb, if they had brought forth any competent number at a time, had been ſo big and heavy, that their wings would have failed them, and ſo every body would have had the wit to catch the Old one.
- 4
Functionally in order; functioning adequately.
a competent sphincter; a competent cervix; a competent immune system
- 5
Permeable to foreign DNA.
- 6
Resistant to deformation or flow.
Etymology
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”).
Forms
- comparative
- more competent
- superlative
- most competent
competent · Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
competing · Being in the state of competition (often unintentionally).competition · The action of competing.competitive · Of or pertaining to competition.