competent

Definition

Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.

Etymology

From Middle English competent, conpetent, from Old French competent (modern French compétent), from Latin competens, competentem, present participle of competō (“coincide, be equal to, be capable of”). Compare Dutch competent (“competent”), German kompetent (“competent”), Danish kompetent (“competent”).

Example Sentences

• "He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder."
• "I believe in that myself because it has been explained by competent men as the convolutions of the grey matter."
• "That as a competent keyless citizen he had proceeded energetically from the unknown to the known through the incertitude of the void."

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