Competence: meaning, definitions and examples

💪

Add to dictionary

competence

[ˈkɒmpɪt(ə)ns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in the workplace

The ability to do something successfully or efficiently; expertise.

Synonyms

ability, capability, proficiency, skill.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
competence	Used to describe someone's general ability to do something effectively, often in professional contexts. She has the competence required for the job. His competence in managing the team has led to great success.
ability	A general term for someone's power or talent to do something, often used in a wide range of contexts. He has the ability to solve complex problems. Her artistic ability is truly impressive.
skill	Indicates a specific learned ability to perform a task well, usually requiring training or experience. His cooking skills are exceptional. She has all the necessary skills for the position.
proficiency	Refers to a high level of skill or expertise in a particular area, often gained through education or practice. He achieved proficiency in multiple languages. Her proficiency in mathematics is well recognized.
capability	Describes someone's potential or capacity to achieve something, focusing more on the potential rather than the actual performance. The new software has enhanced our capability to handle data. She demonstrated great capability in the training exercises.

Examples of usage

She has demonstrated her competence in project management.
His competence in IT was highly valued by the company.
The team's competence in problem-solving led to their success.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

The legal authority of a court or other body to deal with a particular matter.

Synonyms

authority, capacity, jurisdiction, power.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
competence	Refers to the ability or skill to do something successfully or efficiently. Often used in professional or technical contexts. Her competence in software development is truly impressive The doctor’s competence in handling complex surgeries is well-known
jurisdiction	Pertains to the official power to make legal decisions and judgments. Often used in legal or governmental contexts. The case is outside of this court’s jurisdiction The police have jurisdiction over the entire city
authority	Denotes the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Often used in formal or organizational contexts. The manager has the authority to approve budget increases He spoke with an air of authority that convinced everyone in the room
power	Relates to the ability or right to control people or things. Can be used in various contexts including personal influence, political strength, and physical strength. It may have a negative connotation when referring to misuse or abuse of control. The president holds a significant amount of power They abused their power to exploit the workers
capacity	Refers to the maximum amount that something can contain or the ability to do something. Often used in terms of volume, space, or ability. The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000 people She has the capacity to handle multiple tasks at once

Examples of usage

The court's competence to hear the case was questioned by the defense lawyer.
The regulatory body's competence to regulate the industry was challenged by the stakeholders.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

psychology

The ability to understand and regulate one's own emotions and to understand and relate effectively to others.

Synonyms

emotional intelligence, interpersonal competence, social skills.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
competence	Competence is best used to describe someone's ability to perform a job or task effectively. It's a general term that can be applied to various skills and knowledge. Her competence in managing complex projects is impressive. He was promoted due to his high level of competence in his field.
emotional intelligence	Emotional intelligence is used to describe someone's ability to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others, especially in social or professional settings. Her high emotional intelligence makes her an excellent leader. Emotional intelligence is crucial when resolving conflicts within a team.
social skills	Social skills pertain to the abilities that facilitate interaction and communication with others. These are often seen in everyday social interactions and are important for building relationships. Good social skills are essential for networking events. Children often develop their social skills through play and interaction.
interpersonal competence	Interpersonal competence is used to highlight someone's ability to interact effectively with others in personal and professional relationships. It includes communication skills, empathy, and collaboration abilities. His interpersonal competence has improved the team's morale. Effective communication and teamwork are signs of strong interpersonal competence.

Examples of usage

Emotional competence is crucial for building healthy relationships.
Developing social competence is an important aspect of child development.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'competentem', meaning 'suitable' or 'proper'.
It first appeared in English around the 15th century, indicating a sense of capability.
Related words include 'competent' and 'competition', reflecting a shared root around skill and ability.

Psychology

In psychology, competence is often linked to self-esteem and motivation; feeling capable can boost confidence.
The theory of competence motivation suggests that people are driven to master new skills to feel accomplished.
Competence is central to Carol Dweck's mindset theory, which emphasizes growth and learning over fixed abilities.

Education

Competence-based education focuses on equipping students with specific skills rather than just theoretical knowledge.
The concept promotes hands-on learning and real-world applications, ensuring learners can demonstrate their competences.
Many educational systems now assess competence to prepare students better for job markets by emphasizing practical skills.

Pop Culture

Competence is often a theme in movies where characters undergo personal growth and mastery of their skills, like in 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
Television shows frequently portray the journey from incompetence to competence, highlighting character development.
In gaming, competence is reflected in player progress where characters develop skills and abilities through experience.

Workplace

In the workplace, competence is crucial for career advancement, as employers seek skilled individuals for various roles.
Performance evaluations often focus on competence to ensure employees meet standards and improve their skills.
Training programs in companies are designed to enhance competence, making employees more effective and efficient.

Translations

Translations of the word "competence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 competência

🇮🇳 क्षमता

🇩🇪 Kompetenz

🇮🇩 kompetensi

🇺🇦 компетентність

🇵🇱 kompetencja

🇯🇵 能力 (のうりょく)

🇫🇷 compétence

🇪🇸 competencia

🇹🇷 yetkinlik

🇰🇷 능력 (neungnyeok)

🇸🇦 كفاءة

🇨🇿 kompetence

🇸🇰 kompetencia

🇨🇳 能力 (nénglì)

🇸🇮 kompetenca

🇮🇸 hæfni

🇰🇿 қабілет

🇬🇪 კომპეტენცია

უნარი (kompetentsia
unari)

🇦🇿 kompetensiya

🇲🇽 competencia

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,470 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5467 repealed
5468 vulnerable
5469 strongest
5470 competence
5471 compatible
5472 jumped
5473 guys
...