adjective

competent

KAHM-pih-tuhnt/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/

Possessing sufficient ability or qualification to act.

The competent baker removes evenly baked bread from the oven.

Middle-aged Asian male baker confidently removes evenly baked bread from oven, precise practiced handling and successful result.

Etymology

comLatintogether

+petLatinseek, strive

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

The “together” and “seek” elements formed a verb meaning, among other things, “coincide” or “agree.” Competent preserves this idea of fitting: something suitable or sufficient became someone with enough ability to meet the requirements.

In context

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to them and that you're going to be reliably giving them a treatment that they asked for so the second one is to make sure that you're a well-trained and competent massage therapist

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More examples

We need a competent mechanic to repair these brakes.
She is competent at managing budgets and meeting deadlines.
The judge finds the defendant competent to stand trial.

Forms

competent · more competent · most competent

competence noun — Sufficient ability to perform a task.

competently adverb — With enough skill to perform adequately.

Similar words

capable: Emphasizes ability or potential, not necessarily an established standard.
skilled: Suggests developed expertise beyond merely adequate performance.
qualified: Emphasizes required credentials or conditions rather than practical ability.