competent
gb/kˈɑmpətɪnt/ us/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
B2
English
~ 9100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having enough skill or ability
able to do something well enough, because you have the right skill and knowledge.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is competent (at [doing something] / in [a subject or area])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "competent" with "competitive". "Competent" means able to do something well enough; "competitive" means wanting to win or being able to win. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: say "competent at doing something" or "competent in a subject", not "competent of".
Synonyms
capable (Very close in meaning; often slightly more positive and broader, not only about skill but also general ability.)
Antonyms
incompetent (States that someone clearly lacks the basic skill or ability needed to do a task.)
Collocations
a competent worker
|a competent teacher
|highly competent
|technically competent
|competent in [a field]
Themes
work
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is a highly competent project manager who always meets her deadlines.
- You need a competent mechanic to deal with a problem this complex.
- The report was written by a team of competent researchers.
- He is competent in both spoken and written Japanese.
- The company is looking for someone who is competent at handling customer complaints.
Learner examples
- My doctor is very competent and I trust her.
- We need a competent driver for this long trip.
- She is competent at using a computer.
- The new manager seems competent in his job.
- I want to be competent in English before I travel.
unknown
B2
property
2
good enough but not outstanding
good enough to be okay, but not special or very good.
Usage pattern:
[something] is competent (but [comment about lack of excellence])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "competent" is a strong compliment like "excellent". In this sense, it often means only that something is fine or acceptable, and can even suggest that it is a bit boring or not special.
Synonyms
adequate (Emphasizes that something just meets the basic standard; often slightly more negative or minimal than "competent".)
Antonyms
poor (Describes work or performance that clearly fails to meet the expected standard.)
Collocations
a competent performance
|competent but uninspired
|perfectly competent
|competent writing
|competent but not outstanding
Themes
work
|arts
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The film was competent but hardly memorable.
- Her presentation was competent, though it lacked energy and originality.
- It was a competent translation, but a native speaker could improve the style.
- The restaurant offers competent service, but nothing that makes it stand out.
- He gave a competent performance, but the role needed someone truly charismatic.
Learner examples
- The book is competent, but not very interesting.
- His work is competent, but not great.
- The new chef is competent, so the food is fine.
- Her drawing is competent, but it does not move me.
- The team played a competent game, but they did not win.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
having legal or official authority
having the official or legal right and power to make a decision or take action.
Usage pattern:
[an authority/body/court] is competent to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes apply the everyday skill meaning in legal texts and misunderstand phrases like "competent authority". In legal and official language, it usually means the body that has the legal power in that area, not that the staff are skilled.
Synonyms
authorized (Focuses on having permission or power; "competent" additionally implies formal responsibility or proper area of power.)
Antonyms
unauthorized (Lacks the legal permission or official power to act in a matter.)
Collocations
competent authority
|competent court
|competent jurisdiction
|a court competent to hear the case
|the competent national authorities
Themes
law
|government
|administration
|business
Examples
- The application must be submitted to the competent authority in your country of residence.
- Only a court competent to hear criminal matters can decide this issue.
- The complaint was filed before the competent national authorities.
- Under the treaty, each state must designate a competent body to oversee compliance.
- The board is not competent to rule on individual employment disputes.
Learner examples
- You must send these papers to the competent authority.
- This is the competent court for this type of case.
- That office is not competent to give you a visa.
- Only a competent judge can make this decision.
- The police said another department was competent to help me.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
able to take up foreign DNA (biology)
in biology, describing cells that can take in new DNA from outside the cell.
Usage pattern:
[cells/bacteria] are competent (for [transformation])
Common mistake:
Outside of biology, learners may not recognize this special technical meaning and misread it as general 'skilled' or 'able'. In scientific texts, however, it refers specifically to the cell state for DNA uptake.
Synonyms
transformable (Technical term emphasizing the ability to undergo genetic transformation; used mainly in specialist contexts.)
Antonyms
non-competent (Used in technical contexts to describe cells that cannot take up external DNA.)
Collocations
competent cells
|genetically competent bacteria
|preparing competent cells
|transformation of competent cells
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
Examples
- The plasmid was introduced into the competent cells by heat shock.
- We prepared chemically competent bacteria for transformation.
- Only competent cells can efficiently incorporate the foreign DNA.
- The protocol describes how to make E. coli competent for electroporation.
- Transformation efficiency depends on how competent the cells are.
Learner examples
- In this lab, we use competent cells to take in new DNA.
- The scientist made the bacteria competent before adding the plasmid.
- Only competent cells can get the new gene.
- The teacher showed us how to prepare competent bacteria.
- These cells are not competent, so the DNA will not enter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
competent
IPA
GB/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
US/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
Syllables & stress
com - pet - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: competent
Word family
Core family
competence
noun B2
competently
adverb
Related words
competency
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
competent authority
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt əθˈɔɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
official body with legal power
an official group or person that has the legal power to decide or act in a particular area.
Examples
- You must report any change of address to the competent authority.
- The competent authority will review your application and inform you of the decision.
- Each country must name a competent authority to enforce the new regulations.
competent court
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt kˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
formal
court that has jurisdiction
a court that has the legal right to hear and decide a certain kind of case.
Examples
- The dispute shall be settled by the competent court in the defendant's country.
- Only a competent court can issue such an order.
- The lawyer argued that the local court was not the competent court for this matter.
competent to stand trial
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt tə stˈænd tɹˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
formal
mentally able to face trial
having a clear enough mind to understand what happens in court and to help your lawyer, so that a trial can legally continue.
Examples
- Psychiatrists will evaluate whether the defendant is competent to stand trial.
- The judge ruled that she was not competent to stand trial at this time.
- If the accused is not competent to stand trial, the case may be delayed.
mentally competent
1/mˈɛntəli kˈɑmpətɪnt/
fixed phrase
able to make one’s own decisions
having a clear mind and enough understanding to make your own decisions and know what they mean.
Examples
- The doctor confirmed that the patient is mentally competent to sign the consent form.
- Only a mentally competent adult can make this kind of legal agreement.
- They questioned whether he was still mentally competent to manage his finances.