competent

/kəmˈpɛt(ə)nt/
adjective★Intermediate— capable
formal

Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.

The committee appointed a competent manager to oversee the project.

They chose a manager who is qualified and effective.

💡

Often used in professional, academic, or legal contexts to stress adequacy rather than excellence.

Collocations

competent authoritya body legally empowered to make decisionscompetent staffemployees who have the required skillscompetent handlingproper and effective management of a task

Related Phrases

competent jurisdictionphrase
the legal authority that has the power to hear a case
competent authorityphrase
the official body authorized to enforce regulations

📖Word Origin

Late Middle English, from Latin competentem (nominative competent), present participle of competere ‘to meet, be suitable’, from com‑ ‘together’ + petere ‘to seek, aim at’. The sense ‘suitable, qualified’ developed in the 15th century.

📝Usage Notes

Use ‘competent’ to describe sufficient ability. For a higher degree, choose ‘highly competent’ or ‘exceptionally competent’. It is not typically used for moral judgments; use ‘ethical’ or ‘honest’ for that.

English Dictionary