competent

/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkäm-pə-tənt/ (ame, mw)

competent — adjective

  • competentpositive
  • more competentcomparative
  • most competentsuperlative

1. A competent person has the skills and knowledge needed to do a task or job to a

1.形容詞C1
釋義

A competent person has the skills and knowledge needed to do a task or job to a satisfactory standard.

例句

Dr. Okonkwo is a highly competent surgeon who has performed hundreds of successful operations.

adjective + noun: competent [professional role]

Leila proved herself competent at managing the team's daily tasks.

competent at + gerund

同義詞
  • capable

    broader in scope — describes general ability rather than task-specific skill

  • qualified

    emphasises formal credentials or training, while competent focuses on actual ability

  • proficient

    suggests a higher, more practised level of skill, often with a specific tool or activity

  • skilled

    highlights practical ability gained through experience

反義詞
  • incompetent

    direct opposite — lacking the necessary ability or skill

  • incapable

    suggests a complete lack of ability rather than inadequate skill

文法句型

competent + to-infinitive

competent + at/in + noun/gerund

competent + enough + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Frequently modified by adverbs such as highly, very, or perfectly. In negative contexts (not competent, incompetent), the term often implies a serious lack of ability rather than merely average performance.

常見錯誤

❌She is competent of solving the problem.
✅She is competent to solve the problem.
💡competent takes to-infinitive or at/in, not of.
❌He did a competent work on the report.
✅He did competent work on the report.
💡work is uncountable here; no article needed.