Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Legally qualified or sufficient: Having the legal authority, capacity, or jurisdiction to perform a specific function or make a valid judgment.
   • Adequate for the purpose; capable, efficient: Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully to a satisfactory standard.

Examples of Usage

• Legal Context:

  • The case was heard by a competent court. (The court had the proper legal authority.)
  • The judge ruled the witness was competent to testify. (The witness was legally qualified to give evidence.)

• General Ability/Performance:

  • She gave a competent performance in her new role. (Her performance was adequate and met the required standard.)
  • He is a competent typist and can finish the report quickly. (He has sufficient skill and efficiency in typing.)

Advanced Usage

• "Competent to" (Legal/Formal): Having the legal right or authority to do something.

  • The tribunal is competent to rule on such disputes. (The tribunal has the jurisdiction to make rulings on these disputes.)

• "Competent in": Having the necessary skill or knowledge in a specific area.

  • You need to be competent in using this software for the job. (You need to be adequately skilled in using this software.)

Variants and Related Words

• Competence (noun): The quality or state of being competent; ability.

  • Her technical competence is not in question. (Her technical ability is not doubted.)

• Competently (adverb): In an efficient and capable way.

  • She handled the crisis competently. (She handled the crisis in a capable manner.)

• Incompetent (adjective): Not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully; opposite of competent.

  • The incompetent mechanic made the problem worse. (The unskilled mechanic made the problem worse.)

Synonyms

• Capable: Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.
• Proficient: Competent or skilled in doing or using something.
• Adequate: Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
• Qualified: Officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job; competent.

Antonyms

• Incompetent: Not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.
• Incapable: Unable to do or achieve something; lacking the ability or qualification.
• Inept: Having or showing no skill; clumsy.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "To be competent at": To have the skill or ability to do something.
  • After years of practice, he is now competent at public speaking. (He now has adequate skill in public speaking.)

(Note: The word "competent" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its usage is primarily as a standard adjective, often followed by prepositions like "in," "at," or "to" as shown above.)

Adjective

1. legally qualified or sufficient
   • a competent court
   • competent testimony
2. adequate for the purpose
   • a competent performance
3. properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
   • a competent typist