competence
/ˈkɒm.pə.təns/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: competences
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
Noun
Examples
Teachers are now required to teach intercultural communicative competence.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task or skill.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “competence” mean?
The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
Is “competence” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.