Competence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s/ com·pe·tence

Meaning & Definition of Competence

Competence (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being competent
  2. the quality or state of having sufficient knowledge, judgment, skill, or strength (as for a particular duty or in a particular respect)
  3. legal authority, ability, or admissibility

Competence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the physical or mental power to do something

    "questioned his competence to finish the task without help"

    similar: ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competency, faculty
    related: aptitude, aptness, endowment, equipment, facility, gift, knack, talent, address, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, hand, prowess, skill, gray matter, instinct, intelligence, ken, reason, understanding, might, potency, puissance, staying power, stuff, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, fitness, form, influence, resourcefulness, usefulness, means, resources, wherewithal
    opposite: disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness
    near: helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Competence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Competence:

ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competency, faculty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Competence

Words with the opposite meaning of Competence:

disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness

Related Words for Competence

aptitude, aptness, endowment, equipment, facility, gift, knack, talent, address, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, hand, prowess, skill, gray matter, instinct, intelligence, ken, reason, understanding, might, potency, puissance, staying power, stuff, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, fitness

Near Antonyms of Competence

helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

Origin & Etymology of Competence

First known use: circa 1640

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Competence

Frequently Asked Questions about Competence

What does "Competence" mean?

"Competence" means the quality or state of being competent. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being competent.

What is another word for "Competence"?

Other words for "Competence" include ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competency and faculty. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Competence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Competence"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Competence". Common alternatives include ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competency and faculty.

What is the opposite of "Competence"?

Antonyms of "Competence" include disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency and ineptitude. Near antonyms include helplessness, impotence, paralysis and powerlessness.

How do you use "Competence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Competence" in a sentence: "questioned his competence to finish the task without help".

Is "Competence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Competence" is a noun.

Is "Competence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Competence" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Competence"?

"Competence" is pronounced /ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as com·pe·tence.