competent meaning and examples

Meaning

Competent means having the necessary ability, skill, or knowledge to do something successfully. It describes someone who is capable and effective in performing tasks.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Adjective

• Common structure:

  • be competent at (doing) sth
  • be competent in (a subject/area)
  • be competent to do sth

It is used to describe people, skills, or performances.

Common Phrases

• competent authority – an official body with the power to make decisions.
• technically competent – having the required technical knowledge.
• fully competent – completely capable.
• competent professional – a qualified person in a field.

Collocations

• verb + competent: consider sb competent, prove competent, remain competent
• adverb + competent: fully competent, highly competent, barely competent
• competent + noun: competent worker, competent engineer, competent lawyer

Examples

1. She is highly competent in handling financial data.
2. The doctor proved to be competent in emergency situations.
3. He is competent at speaking three foreign languages.
4. Only a competent authority can issue this type of license.
5. The lawyer was not competent to represent the client in this case.
6. He is competent enough to manage the project on his own.
7. Teachers should be competent in both knowledge and communication.
8. The company is searching for a competent engineer to join the team.

Synonyms or Related

• capable
• skilled
• proficient
• qualified
• adept

Antonym

• incompetent
• unskilled
• unqualified
• inept