Competent
adjective /ˈkɒmpɪtənt/ — Having the skills and knowledge to do something well.
Definition
Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skills to do something successfully.
Beyond the definition
Competent isn't just 'okay'. It means reliably capable — the person you'd trust to do the job without constant checking. Being described as competent at something is a real compliment, not damning with faint praise.
Origin & history
From Latin competens — fitting, qualified (competere 'to strive together, be fit for').
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was competent in three programming languages before her first job.
A competent first aid response in the first few minutes can save a life.
He felt competent at the work after the first six months — less anxious, more in control.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Competent” when the meaning fits your context: Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skills to do something successfully.
Synonyms
capable, skilled, qualified, able, proficient
Antonyms
incompetent, incapable, unskilled
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Expert Chef at Work
An adult chef at a clean stainless steel station juliennes vegetables with sharp, precise, and highly focused movements.
The chef's organization and precise knife skills demonstrate competence. They have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the task successfully and efficiently, showing mastery over their culinary environment through disciplined, successful practice.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Competent" mean?
Competent is adjective meaning: Having the skills and knowledge to do something well.. Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skills to do something successfully.
Where does the word "Competent" come from?
From Latin competens — fitting, qualified (competere 'to strive together, be fit for').