English Explanatory Dictionary

competent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
  2. Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.
  3. Adequate for the purpose.
  4. Functionally in order; functioning adequately.
  5. Permeable to foreign DNA.
  6. Resistant to deformation or flow.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɒmpətənt/ en-us-competent.ogg

Word forms

competent more competent most competent

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”).

Antonyms

incompetent

Related words

bicompetent compete competence competentness competition tricompetent

Derived words

angiocompetent chemocompetent competently dyscompetent electrocompetent fibrocompetent hypercompetent immunocompetent incompetent melanocompetent multicompetent neurocompetent noncompetent non-incompetent omnicompetent osmocompetent osteocompetent precompetent retrocompetent rhizocompetent supercompetent thermocompetent ultracompetent
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