competencies

IPA/ˈkɒm.pɪ.tən.si/
KK[kˈɑmpətɪnsiz]IPA/ˈkɑːm.pə.t̬ən.si/

competencies — noun

  • competenciessingular
  • competenciesesplural

1. skills or areas of ability that let someone do their work successfully.

1.nounC1
Definition

skills or areas of ability that let someone do their work successfully.

Example

The hospital lists calm communication and quick decisions among its core competencies.

core competencies

Sven's review praised the digital competencies he built during the internship.

digital competencies

Common collocations
  • core competencies
  • digital competencies
  • leadership competencies
  • competencies in planning
Synonyms
  • skills

    the broad everyday word, often less formal than competencies

  • abilities

    wider term that can include natural strengths as well as learned skills

  • expertise

    suggests a higher and more specialized level of ability

Antonyms
  • weaknesses

    areas where someone lacks strength or skill

  • skill gaps

    missing abilities that stop someone meeting a role's demands

Grammar Patterns

competencies in + area

core/key competencies

competencies required for + role

Usage Note

Often appears in job ads, training plans, and performance reviews. It is commonly modified by words like core, digital, leadership, or required and is often followed by in plus the skill area.

Common Mistakes

The manager checked our competencies of planning.
The manager checked our competencies in planning.
use 'in' to name the skill area, not 'of'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Competencies is often used in hiring, training, and performance systems for the abilities a role needs. Skills is the broad everyday choice and can describe one learned action, such as writing reports or using Excel. Abilities is wider and can include natural strengths, so it is less tied to work frameworks. Qualifications points to degrees, certificates, or experience that show you are ready for a job, not the abilities themselves. Expertise suggests a very high level built through long practice. In a review meeting, a manager may discuss leadership competencies, while in casual conversation most people would simply say leadership skills.

skills ↗abilities ↗qualifications ↗expertise ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • core competencies
  • leadership competencies
  • digital competencies

Verbs

  • build competencies
  • develop competencies
  • test competencies

Phrases

  • build competencies
  • develop competencies
  • assess competencies

Adjectives

  • core competencies
  • required competencies
  • technical competencies

Prepositions

  • competencies in
  • competencies for

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Competencies is the plural of competency. Competency grew from competent, which goes back to Latin competere, a verb that developed the idea of being suitable or capable for a task. In modern English, competency focuses on the abilities that fit a person for particular work or responsibilities.

First known use

1600

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1