competent
She is a competent engineer.
She has the necessary skills and ability.
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.
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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.