COMPETENCE definition: the quality of being competent; adequacy; possession of required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity. See examples of competence used in a sentence.

Her competence as a teacher is unquestionable. He reached a reasonable level of competence in his English. Students can prove their competence by performing well in the exam. The ideal candidate …

Definition of competence noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Define competence. competence synonyms, competence pronunciation, competence translation, English dictionary definition of competence. n. 1. a. The ability to do something well or efficiently. b. …

the quality of being competent; adequacy; possession of required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity He hired her because of her competence as an accountant

In effect, competence and competency are interchangeable, though competence is more often used to describe a person’s general ability, while competency is more often used to describe a person’s …

Feb 21, 2026 · Noun competence (countable and uncountable, plural competences) (uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.

The meaning of COMPETENCE is the quality or state of being competent. How to use competence in a sentence.

com•pe•tence (kom′ pi təns), n. possession of required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity: He hired her because of her competence as an accountant. a sufficient quantity. an income sufficient to …

There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun competence, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.