Definition of: competent

(kom′pə·tənt) adjective
1. Having sufficient ability or authority.
2. Possessing the requisite natural or legal qualifications; qualified.
3. Sufficient; adequate. [<MF competent <L competens, -entis, ppr. of competere be fit, be proper <com- together + petere go, seek]
—com′·pe·tent·ly adverb
—com′pe·tent·ness noun Synonyms: able, adapted, adequate, capable, fit, qualified. One is competent who has all the natural powers, physical or mental, to meet the demands of a situation or work; the word is widely used of ability to meet all requirements, natural, legal, or other; as, a competent knowledge of a subject; a court of competent jurisdiction. Qualified refers to acquired abilities; a qualified teacher may be no longer competent, by reason of ill health. Able and capable suggest general ability and reserved power, able being the higher word of the two. An able man will do something well in any position. A capable man will come up to any ordinary demand. Compare ADEQUATE, GOOD. Antonyms: disqualified, inadequate, incompetent, unequal, unfit, unqualified.