Competence is the ability to do something well or effectively.
His competence as an economist had been reinforced by his successful fight againstinflation. [+ as]
We've always regarded him as a man of integrity and high professional competence.
Synonyms: ability, skill, talent, capacity More Synonyms of competence
More Synonyms of competence
competence in British English
(ˈkɒmpɪtəns)
noun
1.
the condition of being capable; ability
2.
a sufficient income to live on
3.
the state of being legally competent or qualified
4. embryology
the ability of embryonic tissues to react to external conditions in a way that influences subsequent development
5. linguistics
(in transformational grammar) the form of the human language faculty, independent of its psychological embodiment in actual human beings
Compare performance (sense 7), langue, parole (sense 5)
competence in American English
(ˈkɑmpətəns)
noun
1.
sufficient means for one's needs
2.
condition or quality of being competent; ability; fitness; specif., legal capability, power, or jurisdiction
Also ˈcompetency (ˈkɑmpətənsi)
Word origin
Fr compétence < L competentia, a meeting, agreement < competens, prp. of competere: see compete
Examples of 'competence' in a sentence
competence
It is one that has to convince voters of its competence and ability to deliver.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Its second task is to exercise its competence in areas which are not specifically forbidden by law.
Wright, Vincent The Government and Politics of France (1989)
Technical or retail competence can be brought in to shore up a new head of online.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Have we left the age of excellence and moved on to the age of high competence?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The second thing is that your party needs a lead on economic competence.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are the victims of a failure in both competence and integrity by their own political class.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But the economic competence problem remained unresolved.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Coaching often produces high competence, but real brilliance tends to depend on intuitive learning.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The two episodes raise questions about both his integrity and his competence, according to critics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Tories have gained ground on economic competence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The focus was on economic competence and middle-class tax cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The code will cover both technical competence and behaviour in the workplace, including treating patients with dignity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I want them to be men and women of competence and integrity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Can there be any clearer measure of the present administration's grasp of the concepts of competence and integrity in office?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The third area of competence I look for is wisdom and discernment.
Christianity Today (2000)
Three things: technical competence (can they actually do the job?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It will assure... competence in the area you're most concerned with.
Tepper, Sheri S. A Plague of Angels (1993)
PUBLIC servants seeking management consultants to improve and transform our public services typically base their choice of consultancy on an assessment of capability and technical competence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Otherwise it will lack competence, ability, and strength in the areas in which it needs them the most.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
This would suggest that competence in technical skills, while an important ingredient of the bureaucratic role, is not essential to it.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
Of course apes do not have the full language competence of humans, she notes, but it is absurd to think they would.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
A competence in foreign languages is, therefore, helpful but hardly vital.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Quotations
He has, indeed, done it very well; but it is a foolish thing well doneSamuel Johnson
In other languages
competence
British English: competence NOUN
Competence is the ability to do something well or effectively.
Many people have testified to his competence.
American English: competence
Brazilian Portuguese: competência
Chinese: 能力
European Spanish: capacidad
French: compétence
German: Fähigkeit
Italian: competenza
Japanese: 能力
Korean: 능력
European Portuguese: competência
Latin American Spanish: capacidad
Chinese translation of 'competence'
competence
(ˈkɔmpɪtəns)
n(u)
能力 (nénglì)
1 (noun)
Definition
the state of being legally competent or qualified
I regard her as a woman of integrity and high professional competence.
Synonyms
ability
No one had faith in his ability to do the job.
skill
The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
talent
Both her children have a talent for music.
capacity
Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
expertise
the lack of management expertise within the company
proficiency
Evidence of basic proficiency in English is required.
competency
capability
These tasks are far beyond her capabilities.
Opposites
inability
,
incompetence
2 (noun)
They questioned her competence as a pharmacist.
Synonyms
fitness
There is a debate about his fitness for the job.
suitability
information on the suitability of a product for use in the home
adequacy
We are concerned about the adequacy of the children's diet.
appropriateness
He wonders about the appropriateness of every move he makes.
Opposites
inadequacy
Quotation
He has, indeed, done it very well; but it is a foolish thing well done [Samuel Johnson]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adequacy
We are concerned about the adequacy of the children's diet.
Synonyms
sufficiency,
capability,
competence,
suitability,
tolerability,
fairness,
commensurateness,
requisiteness,
satisfactoriness
in the sense of appropriateness
He wonders about the appropriateness of every move he makes.