C1adjective 2K

Competent

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/"]/

Meaning of Competent

having enough skill or knowledge to do something well or to the necessary standard

In simple words: Able to do something well

Competent in a sentence

• She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases.
• The team needs a competent leader to guide them through the project.
• After months of training, he became competent in several languages.
• Being competent in your field can significantly boost your career opportunities.
• The technician proved to be competent, solving the problem quickly and efficiently.

How to use Competent

Use 'competent' to describe someone who can perform a task effectively. It's appropriate in professional or academic contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

competent + at/in + skill

Memory hint

Think of 'competent' as 'capable friend'; someone you can count on.

Related words

Collocations with Competent

• be
• feel
• look
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• in
• be
• feel
• look
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• in

Synonyms for Competent

• capable
• proficient
• skilled
• adept
• qualified

Opposites of Competent

• incompetent
• inept
• unqualified

Common mistakes with Competent

• 'Competency' is confused with 'competence' despite the latter being more commonly used.
• Using 'competent' as a noun instead of an adjective.
• Confusing 'competent' with 'complacent', which means self-satisfied.

Frequently asked questions about Competent

What does Competent mean?

Able to do something well

What is the definition of Competent?

having enough skill or knowledge to do something well or to the necessary standard

How do you use Competent in a sentence?

She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases.

Can you give another example of Competent?

The team needs a competent leader to guide them through the project.

What are synonyms for Competent?

Common alternatives include capable, proficient, skilled, adept, qualified.

What is the opposite of Competent?

Opposite meanings include incompetent, inept, unqualified.

What words go with Competent?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in.

What are common mistakes when using Competent?

'Competency' is confused with 'competence' despite the latter being more commonly used. Using 'competent' as a noun instead of an adjective. Confusing 'competent' with 'complacent', which means self-satisfied.

How do you pronounce Competent?

US: /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/"]/, UK: /["/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Competent?

Use 'competent' to describe someone who can perform a task effectively. It's appropriate in professional or academic contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Competent?

"Competent" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.