Essential Meaning of competent. 1 : having the necessary ability or skills : able to do something well or well enough to meet a standard a competent [=capable] teacher She is a competent [=adequate] portrait painter but she excels with landscapes.
What is considered to be competent?
having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose; properly qualified: He is perfectly competent to manage the bank branch. adequate but not exceptional. ... having legal competence, as by meeting certain minimum requirements of age, soundness of mind, or the like.
How do you use the word competent?
adequate for the purpose.
- She's extremely competent and industrious.
- He's not competent to look after young children.
- He is competent for the task.
- A competent mechanic should be able to fix the problem.
- He was a loyal, distinguished and very competent civil servant.
- Two competent witnesses testified.
