competentcom‧pe‧tent /ˈkɒmpɪtənt $ ˈkɑːm-/ ●●○ adjective 
A competent mechanic should be able to fix the problem.very/highly/extremely competent She’s a highly competent linguist.competent to do something I don’t feel competent to give an opinion at the moment. He is the only party leader competent enough to govern this country.2satisfactory but not especially good: The workmen did a competent job.3technical having normal mental abilities: We believe the patient was not mentally competent. A psychiatrist said McKibben was competent to stand trial.4[not before noun] law having the legal power to deal with something in a court of lawcompetent to do something This court is not competent to hear your case.—competently adverb
WORD ORIGINcompetent
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin, present participle of competere ‘to be suitable’; ➔ COMPETEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Competent skiers should find no difficulty with the course.
- A competent mechanic should be able to fix the problem quickly.
- Ben took out his pen and produced a quick but very competent sketch of the building.
- Most of the essays were competent but one was really outstanding.
- New students are expected to be competent in mathematics.
- The roofers did a competent job.
- Though the country is poor, the doctors and nurses are qualified and competent.
- Tomita is a highly competent translator.
- We believe the patient was not mentally competent.
- He was happy in his work and at home and was obviously a competent and confident man.
- Ramon Mitra has proved to be a competent Speaker in the House of Representatives.
- Some were competent and some were barely recognisable, but each had its unique charm.
- That was cowardice worthy of franchise forfeiture, because the Broncos were at least a competent team.
- These employees were competent and experienced.
- Why this has happened I am not competent to say, but it could be a fruitful and fascinating subject for research.
Longman Language Activatorable to do something well
to be able to do something well: · When she was at school she was good at art.· She loves her job, and she's very good at it.be good at doing something: · You've never been much good at lying.· Robson is particularly good at dealing with people, and should make an excellent manager.
able to do something well: · The school orchestra is surprisingly good.good singer/player/teacher etc: · Frank had always been a good football player, and it was no surprise when he was chosen for the team.· I can refer you to a good dentist.be good with somebody/something (=be good at dealing with someone or something): · Mrs. Hill is very good with children.· The two Drew girls are unusually good with animals.be good with your hands (=be good at making or repairing things with your hands): · Jeremy's good with his hands - he built our kitchen cupboards.
formal having reached an acceptable standard in something, by learning or practising it: proficient in: · Before you can study at a British university, you have to be proficient in English.proficient skier/climber/actor etc: · The black runs are for proficient skiers only.
good at doing something, especially at doing a difficult or important job that involves a lot of responsibility: · Mrs Thomas is a very able teacher.· She was widely regarded as one of the most able members of the president's staff.
someone who is capable can be trusted to do a job or piece of work well and without needing other people's help or advice: · Mr. Young is a very capable attorney.· The team desperately needs a capable quarterback.
someone who is competent has enough skill and knowledge to be able to do something to a high or satisfactory standard: · Competent skiers should find no difficulty with the course.· Though the country is poor, the doctors and nurses are qualified and competent.highly competent (=very competent): · Tomita is a highly competent translator.competent in: · New students are expected to be competent in mathematics.
good enough · If the weather's good enough next weekend we'll go camping.good enough for · It's just a cheap wine but it's good enough for a picnic.good enough to do something · Do you think she's good enough to be in the team?
something that is satisfactory reaches the expected standard but is not better than it: · You won't get paid unless your work is satisfactory.· Lynne got satisfactory grades and was offered a place at university.
spoken use this about something that is good enough but not especially good: · The children made the cakes. I hope they're all right.· "What did you think of the movie?" "Oh, it was OK - nothing special."· This book is OK for beginners but it's not really suitable for more advanced students.
spoken use this to say that something is fairly good, and better than you expected: · "What was the food like?" "Oh, not bad - better than last time."· You know, that's not a bad idea.not too bad: · "How was the exam?" "Oh, not too bad. I think I passed."
good enough for a particular purpose, especially by being of a high enough level, amount, or quality: · Employers must provide adequate training opportunities.· Now that we have extended the hall, those small electric heaters are no longer adequate.· Make sure that the lighting is adequate so that your guests can see what they are eating.
good enough to be able to be used for a particular purpose: · We had a lot of applicants for the job but only a few of them were acceptable.· Some low-fat cheeses have quite an acceptable flavour but some taste like rubber.acceptable to: · The dispute was settled in a way that was acceptable to both sides.
good enough, but not very good: · There was some bread, a little cheese and a passable French wine.· He gave a passable imitation of Charlie Chaplin.
fairly good, but not very good: · Most of her work is of a reasonable standard.· A reasonable number of people turned up for the meeting.· We had an enjoyable weekend and the weather was quite reasonable.
a piece of work or a performance that is competent is done to a satisfactory standard but does not have any particularly good or skilful features: · Most of the essays were competent but one was really outstanding.· Ben took out his pen and produced a quick but very competent sketch of the building.
spoken of a good enough quality or standard: · I want to provide my boys with a decent education.· There isn't one decent restaurant around here.
especially spoken to be good enough for a particular purpose: · If you don't have any butter, margarine will do.· I want someone to practise first aid on. You'll do, Simon.will do somebody (=be good enough for someone): · Don't bother fetching me another chair. This one'll do me fine.
WORD SETSaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY She’s a highly competent linguist. The workmen did a competent job. We believe the patient was not mentally competent. A psychiatrist said McKibben was competent to stand trial.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1having enough skill or knowledge to do something to a satisfactory standard OPP incompetent: She’s a highly competent linguist. The workmen did a competent job. We believe the patient was not mentally competent. A psychiatrist said McKibben was competent to stand trial.· Also he's an extremely competent carpenter, as you saw yourself.· He is - was - an extremely competent forensic biologist, but I doubt whether he would have gone any higher.
· Transformation of highly competent E.coli cells with the ligation mixture gave rise to one Ap R clone.· All three were highly competent, but their ambitions overrode their talent.· He was a skilled and artistic weaver ... A highly competent woodworker ... A good herdsman ... A fine farmer ....
· Subservience is also shown because other prisoners see it as a mask, necessary for survival for weaker or less competent prisoners.· Thus, the island has increased output dramatically just by specializing, even though Gilligan was far less competent at both tasks!· First, the administrative process becomes more politicized and less competent.· They tend to be more clingy and less competent, both socially and intellectually.· Have they become relatively more competent in dealing with them, or less competent?
· In 1994 a judge ruled that prisoners who were mentally competent were free to starve themselves to death.· Salvi has been declared mentally competent to stand trial Feb. 5.· She was mentally competent and she had the capacity to decide for herself.· Which is whether your son was mentally competent to commit a crime on May fourth, Nineteen-seventy-seven.
· Have they become relatively more competent in dealing with them, or less competent?· The task of assessing this forceful leader must necessarily be left to others more competent and better informed than myself.
· It is precisely there that they considered themselves the most competent and consequently interfered in all spheres of its life.· But a very large percentage do, and this includes some of the best, most competent, and most caring ones.· Systematic in the acquisition of the best available maps, Faden developed the most competent cartographic service of the period.· Almost invariably the specialist or expert will focus on that section of the proposal which he feels most competent to criticize.· He was the most ingenious fisherman, the most resourceful craftsman, and the most competent sailor whom I had ever met.
· Phoebe was good at looking into things, she discovered; never brilliant, but perfectly competent.· Adair complains that ` John Madden is a perfectly competent organiser of visual material and an effective director of actors.· He's perfectly competent, well supplied with money always, and it's no more than a quarter past nine.
· At the level of the individual director, being functionally skilled and technically competent no longer makes a difference.· It is both professionally and technically competent.
· I've heard she's very competent professionally.· Normally the officials are not very competent.· She's a very competent, well-paid housekeeper.· Joe was always very, very calm, very competent.· He was a fanatical and not very competent golfer and a member of the Royal Bucks Club.· He was very competent and very ambitious, but he was also a tyrant.· Nevertheless, she was a handsome woman and very competent and Modi persuaded her to pose for him nude.· All nationalized industries require very competent and ubiquitous managers.
NOUN· The Panel wants to be the competent authority and to be explicitly designated as such.· The notice can be given either by the Central Authority or, to save time, directly by the competent authority.· The declaration may also require prior authorisation by the competent authority to be obtained in each particular case.· The involvement of the competent authority is thus essential to the existence and nature of any coinage system.· He did it without pushing and shoving but with competent authority.· The Directive was concerned with relations between competent authorities which were responsible for protecting the interests of investors and companies.
· And they like to be treated as the smart, competent people they are.
A competent mechanic should be able to fix the problem.very/highly/extremely competent She’s a highly competent linguist.competent to do something I don’t feel competent to give an opinion at the moment. He is the only party leader competent enough to govern this country.2satisfactory but not especially good: The workmen did a competent job.3technical having normal mental abilities: We believe the patient was not mentally competent. A psychiatrist said McKibben was competent to stand trial.4[not before noun] law having the legal power to deal with something in a court of lawcompetent to do something This court is not competent to hear your case.—competently adverb