Competence

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkÉ’mpÉ™tÉ™ns/

Origin

From French compétence.

Full definition of competence

Noun

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
• 2005, Lies Sercu and Ewa Bandura, Foreign Language Teachers and Intercultural Competence: An International Investigation:Teachers are now required to teach intercultural communicative competence.
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.
• 1961, National Council for Elementary Science (U.S.), Science Education:What professional competences do science teachers need?
3. A sustainable income.
• Alexander PopeReason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,
  Lie in three words — health, peace, and competence.
• 1811, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, chapter 17“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.”
4. (countable) In law, the legal authority to deal with a matter.That question is out with the competence of this court and must be taken to a higher court.

Synonyms

• ability
• competency
• nous
• savoir-faire
• knack (colloq.)
• aptitude

Antonyms

• inability
• ineptitude
• incompetence

Related terms

• compete
• competition
• competentness