competent
Able to perform
Competent describes someone who has sufficient ability or skill to do something adequately.
A competent employee performs their job without major problems.
A competent witness is legally qualified to testify.
The word implies adequacy rather than excellence—calling someone competent is faint praise, suggesting they meet the minimum standard but don't exceed it: The work was competent but uninspired.
Having requisite skill
- effectiveProducing intended results
- efficientProductive without waste
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- equippedSupplied with necessary items
resourceful · adaptable · practical · operational · serviceable · workable · adequate · sufficient
Officially declared valid
- accreditedOfficially authorized or recognized
- credentialedHaving formal qualifications verified
- licensedGranted official permission
- trainedTaught a skill
educated · experienced · knowledgeable · prepared · vetted · eligible · examined · schooled
Skill from extensive practice
- masteryComplete skill or control
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- know-howPractical ability to accomplish
craftsmanship · finesse · savvy · aptitude · prowess · artistry · precision · facility
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
- solidFirm matter state
responsible · conscientious · thorough · diligent · meticulous · punctual · accountable · unfailing
Distinguished musical leader
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- masterAuthority or controller
- specialistExpert in one field
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
ace · guru · wizard · connoisseur · veteran · adept · pro · journeyman
Given power to act
- sanctionedFormally approved or penalized
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- endorsedOfficially approved or supported
- approvedOfficially accepted or permitted
permitted · licensed · commissioned · legitimized · mandated · entitled · vested · warranted
able
Having requisite skill
- effectiveProducing intended results
- efficientProductive without waste
- functionalAble to operate correctly
equipped · resourceful · adaptable · practical · operational · serviceable · workable · adequate · sufficient · satisfactory
certified
Officially declared valid
- accreditedOfficially authorized or recognized
- credentialedHaving formal qualifications verified
- licensedGranted official permission
trained · educated · experienced · knowledgeable · prepared · vetted · eligible · examined · schooled · apprenticed
expertise
Skill from extensive practice
- masteryComplete skill or control
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
know-how · craftsmanship · finesse · savvy · aptitude · prowess · artistry · precision · facility · adroitness
dependable
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
solid · responsible · conscientious · thorough · diligent · meticulous · punctual · accountable · unfailing · stable
maestro
Distinguished musical leader
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- masterAuthority or controller
- specialistExpert in one field
authority · ace · guru · wizard · connoisseur · veteran · adept · pro · journeyman · craftsman
empowered
Given power to act
- sanctionedFormally approved or penalized
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- endorsedOfficially approved or supported
approved · permitted · licensed · commissioned · legitimized · mandated · entitled · vested · warranted · chartered
- skill levelsbeginner, novice, intermediate, expert, advanced
- qualitiesgood, bad, better, best, useful
- Evaluationsevaluation, assessment, appraisal, review, rating
- intelligencesmart, IQ, memory, bright, clever
- professional traitsprofessional, formal, organized, efficient, punctual
- qualificationsqualifications, credentials, qualified, eligibility, criterion
competentunqualified
Lacking required credentials
unfit · inadequate · unfitted · unsuitable · unworthy
competentinexperienced
Lacking practical knowledge
green · raw · untrained · unseasoned · untested
- non-compete clauseEmployment contract work limitation
- mental competenceSoundness of reasoning ability
- non-compete agreementContract barring competitor employment
- competency testsAssessments measuring adequate skill
- core competencyPrimary business strength
- competency mappingCataloging workforce abilities systematically
compete, competence, incompetent, incompetence, competed, competes, competently, competency, incompetently