competent
16
4.2
- adjective
- /ˈkɒmpɪtənt/
- They were just an amazingly competent, hardworking, really good bunch of people.
- a competent performance
- in a competent manner
- competent teachers
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Watch on YouTubeIt's done by a lot of competent but uncomprehending processes.
- It's done by a lot of competent but uncomprehending processes.
- How about if you acted more competent?
- Wait till Tulsi Gabbard runs or any other competent woman and vote her into office.
- It's supposed to make sure that we protect property rights and that, you know, we have some basic things like competent policing.
- What would my, what would I expect on an annual basis if I was doing this in a reasonably competent way?
- They've never been more competent performances.
- They sort of pick the best qualified guy and they're all sound competent, good emperors.
- There's nothing that makes you feel as competent as the smell of burning electronics.
- That's all in an attempt to keep my brain as movement competent and dexterous as possible.
- My, my mantra or my little phrase is comfortable consumer versus competent creator.
- So a few things you say the Waymo's are fast benchmark awaymo against a competent Uber driver, right, Right.
- So you've got not only is it obviously competent, but do other people hold that competence in high esteem?
- I I wish someone who didn't need, you know, naps at certain times of the day or was only competent between certain hours.
- That's that's examining this and of consciousness, which is watching reason doing it's it's not so competent show here.
- And so it's very tightly scheduled, and I can't do that without help and competent help.
- And that was when I realized on my first transaction, who you knew was so important and how competent they were was so important to the transaction.
- But this case is extremely well built mechanically, it's very competent design, sound well put together and intuitive.
Examples
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As Sir Wilfred has said, they are a reputable and competent firm.
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And we have many, many competent service workers who are focusing on those tasks.
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Everything about these guys, save the speed camera, has been competent so far.
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It's now October, the system is neither competent nor improving.
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Yes, sir, but a competent executive would find a way to deal with the corporate image problem.
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The Los Angeles Times noted the strong acting performances and a competent script.
Academic text (2017) -
This is a competent workout that works out your shoulders and your back.
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Students holding a grade orientation are concerned with appearing competent and doing better than others.
Academic text (2011) -
The tradeoff, however, is that students are much more likely to become competent in the material that is covered.
Academic text (1997) -
A competent cook can prepare a meal that meets everyone's tastes.
Synonyms
937
3.5
Right for a particular situation, person, or purpose
526
2.3
Good enough in quality to meet normal needs
204
2.7
Enough in amount or quality to meet a need
180
1.8
Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation
73
2.3
Good enough to meet a need but not very good
Antonyms
How Competent
Surface Forms
Morphology
competent = competence (semi-transparent) = compet + ent
The adjective relates to 'competence', but the pragmatic sense 'adequate but not outstanding' is a usage nuance not fully predictable from the base alone.
Etymology
Competent comes from the Latin competere, from com- 'together' and petere 'to reach', so it originally meant 'to meet' or be the right fit. That's why a competent performance 'meets' the required standard — it is good enough even if not outstanding.