Skip to main content
competently

competently

8 3.6
In a way that shows enough skill to do a job well
  • adverb
  • /ˈkɒmpɪtəntli/
translation icon : competentemente
  • To live competently in the modern world, some basic skills in numeracy are necessary.
  • perform competently
  • write competently
  • assess competently

You will do all the things you're trying to do much less competently.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Does practicing help them become better musicians or just train them to competently perform the music we're rehearsing in class?

    Academic text (2009)
  • Ilse had gotten an antibiotic from the ambulance and was now carefully and competently tending to the cut.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Do we really mean to say that students can competently grade each other?

    Academic text (2002)
  • Lawyers, in his view, could not competently do the work.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The truth of the matter is, while you handled the car quite competently, you seem to have a very real problem staying focused.

  • Governments can competently monitor the spread of the disease and warn their citizens accordingly.

    Academic text (2002)
  • His lifetime of educational and pastoral experience prepared him to quite competently teach, lead, and relate to the public.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Nevertheless, triage requires specific training so that nurses can work both competently and confidently.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Terese M. Volk defines multiculturalism as the ability to function competently in several cultures.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The nurse was trained to administer medications competently and with care.

Synonyms

adequately
vscompetently
83 3.0

In a way that is good enough for the task

is focused on solid hands on ability rather than only meeting minimum standards
brilliantly
vscompetently
54 4.1

In a very clever and skillful way that impresses people

is about sufficient, reliable skill rather than extraordinary or dazzling performance
skillfully
vscompetently
22 3.2

To do something very well because you have practice and control

is about doing enough correctly rather than showing practiced finesse
expertly
vscompetently
19 3.4

In a skilful way that shows a lot of ability

is about doing tasks well enough, not necessarily showing exceptional mastery
ably
vscompetently
9 3.5

In a skillful and effective way

is about doing enough to meet standards rather than exceeding them
capably
vscompetently
3 3.8

In a skilled and effective way

is about doing enough to meet standards rather than showing high expertise
proficiently
vscompetently
2 5.1

To do something with skill and confidence

is more about adequacy and general ability rather than high technical mastery
adeptly
vscompetently
1 4.2

In a skillful and effective way

is about doing enough to meet needs rather than effortless excellence
knowledgeably
vscompetently
1 5.2

In a way that shows strong understanding of a subject

is about practical ability to perform tasks rather than detailed factual knowledge

Antonyms

In a way that shows little skill or ability

1 5.5

In a clumsy way that shows little skill

How Well

expertly
19 3.4
well
1.0
competently
8 3.6
adequately
83 3.0
poorly
283 1.4

Surface Forms

competently positive

Morphology

competently = competent (transparent) = competent + ly

The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'competent' using the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word competently comes from the Latin competere, where com- means 'together' and petere means 'to seek', and the same root is in compete and competition. The idea changed to 'fit' or 'be suitable', so to act competently is to have the right skill and do something well.