Competence

/ˈkɒm.pə.təns/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
2. (countable) The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task or skill.
3. (linguistics) The system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language, as opposed to its actual use in concrete situations (performance), cf. linguistic competence.
4. (dated) A sustainable income.
5. (countable, law, politics) the legal authority to deal with a matter.
6. (geology) The degree to which a rock is resistant to deformation or flow.

Example Sentences

Teachers are now required to teach intercultural communicative competence.

Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, / Lie in three words — health, peace, and competence.

“money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence, it can afford no real satisfaction, as far as mere self is concerned.”

A few years ago there lived in a city on the Mississippi a happy family, consisting of a husband, wife, and two children. They were in comfortable circumstances—he able to earn a competence—kind, affable, affectionate, […]

The bill was denied royal assent because the Scottish Parliament does not have legislative competence on the bill's matter.

K C Wheare's definition of federalism requires that two governments be independent and co-ordinate within their own spheres, generally set out by the division of competences codified in a constitution, which is supreme.

Also, the Constitutional Court has tried to reduce impunity in cases of human rights abuses by narrowly interpreting the legal competence of military justice to investigate military and police officers.

Synonyms for competence

Antonyms for competence

Related Words

Word Forms

• competences

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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