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competent

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The definition of competent is a person or thing that is qualified to do something or adequate for a specific purpose.

(adjective)

An accountant with ten years of experience is an example of a competent accountant.
A paring knife that has cut up all the salad vegetables is an example of a competent performance.

See competent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

well qualified; capable; fit: a competent doctor
sufficient; adequate: a competent understanding of law
permissible or properly belonging: with to
Law legally qualified, authorized, or fit

Origin: ME < OFr < L competens, prp. of competere: see compete

Related Forms:

competently adverb

See competent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Properly or sufficiently qualified; capable: a competent typist.
Adequate for the purpose: a competent performance.
Law Legally qualified or fit to perform an act.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, adequate

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin competēns, competent-

Origin: , present participle of competere, to be suitable; see compete

Related Forms:

comˈpe·tent·ly adverb

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