Competency — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)-sē/ com·pe·ten·cy

Meaning & Definition of Competency

Competency (noun)

  1. competence
  2. possession of sufficient knowledge or skill
  3. legal authority, ability, or admissibility

Competency (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the physical or mental power to do something

    "she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company"

    similar: ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, 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 Competency

The most common words with a similar meaning to Competency:

ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, faculty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Competency

Words with the opposite meaning of Competency:

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

Related Words for Competency

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 Competency

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

Word Forms of Competency

Inflections: competencies

Origin & Etymology of Competency

First known use: 1600

Frequently Asked Questions about Competency

What does "Competency" mean?

"Competency" means competence. As a noun, it is defined as: competence.

What is another word for "Competency"?

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

What are different ways to say "Competency"?

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

What is the opposite of "Competency"?

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

How do you use "Competency" in a sentence?

Examples of "Competency" in a sentence: "she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company".

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

"Competency" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Competency"?

"Competency" is pronounced /ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)-sē/ and divided into syllables as com·pe·ten·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Competency"?

First known use: 1600.