competent
adjective
com·pe·tent
ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
: proper or rightly pertinent
2
: having requisite or adequate ability or qualities : fit
a competent teacher
a competent piece of work
3
: legally qualified or adequate
a competent witness
4
: having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way: such as
a
: having the capacity to initiate an immune response following exposure to an antigen
antibody production by immunologically competent B cells
b
of a bacterial cell
: capable of taking up exogenous DNA (as from a plasmid) during genetic transformation
natural and artificially-produced competent cells
competently
adverb
Examples of competent in a Sentence
… he was tolerated, if not endorsed as the competent painter he was.
—
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief, 2005
The crafting of fine violins has proceeded for centuries as a secret art, handed down through apprenticeships from generation to generation. It takes 8 years, at least, to train a competent craftsman, decades to hone a master.
—Richard Lipkin, Science News, 3 Sept. 1994
"Resort cities're transient places," the detective argued. " … That doesn't mean the police aren't competent."
—Joseph Wambaugh, The Secrets of Harry Bright, 1985
… I discovered that Lieutenant Lincoln—a much-admired man hereabouts, and, I imagine, an exceedingly competent physician—was from Worcester …
—Alexander Woollcott, letter, 2 Oct. 1917
The defendant was declared competent to stand trial.
any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief, 2005
The crafting of fine violins has proceeded for centuries as a secret art, handed down through apprenticeships from generation to generation. It takes 8 years, at least, to train a competent craftsman, decades to hone a master.
—Richard Lipkin, Science News, 3 Sept. 1994
"Resort cities're transient places," the detective argued. " … That doesn't mean the police aren't competent."
—Joseph Wambaugh, The Secrets of Harry Bright, 1985
… I discovered that Lieutenant Lincoln—a much-admired man hereabouts, and, I imagine, an exceedingly competent physician—was from Worcester …
—Alexander Woollcott, letter, 2 Oct. 1917
The defendant was declared competent to stand trial.
any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite empirical evidence to the contrary, perceptions remain that disabled employees are less competent, less productive, require more supervision, and are more expensive and more dependent, which results in lower levels of both employment and promotion.
—Terri R. Kurtzberg and Mason Ameri, Harvard Business Review, 18 Nov. 2024
Strong, successful countries have competent and compassionate leadership and social solidarity and trust.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
But that doesn’t mean the mouse isn’t a competent daily driver.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Chevrolet has given consumers the opportunity to purchase a competent, long-range EV with no frills at an unbeatable price, with cash-on-the-hood from Uncle Sam sweetening the pot ever further.
—Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for competent 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Terri R. Kurtzberg and Mason Ameri, Harvard Business Review, 18 Nov. 2024
Strong, successful countries have competent and compassionate leadership and social solidarity and trust.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
But that doesn’t mean the mouse isn’t a competent daily driver.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Chevrolet has given consumers the opportunity to purchase a competent, long-range EV with no frills at an unbeatable price, with cash-on-the-hood from Uncle Sam sweetening the pot ever further.
—Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for competent
Dictionary Entries Near competent
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competent. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
competent
adjective
com·pe·tent
ˈkäm-pət-ənt
: having the necessary ability or qualities : capable
a competent musician
competently
adverb
Medical Definition
competent
adjective
com·pe·tent
ˈkäm-pət-ənt
: having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way
specifically
: having the capacity to respond (as by producing an antibody) to an antigenic determinant
immunologically competent cells
Legal Definition
competent
adjective
com·pe·tent
ˈkäm-pə-tənt
1
: having or showing requisite or adequate ability or qualities
a competent lawyer
competent representation by counsel
2
a
: free from addiction or mental defect that renders one incapable of taking care of oneself or one's property
b
: capable of understanding one's position as a criminal defendant and the nature of the criminal proceedings and able to participate in one's defense compare capacity, incompetent, insanity
3
: legally qualified or adequate: as
a
: having the necessary power or authority
a judge of competent jurisdiction—U.S. Code
U.S. Code
b
: qualified for presentation in court : admissible as evidence or capable of giving admissible evidence
a competent witness
c
: intelligent
a competent waiver
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share