4 syllables: Com, pe, ten, cy. Stress on Com.
KAHM-puh-tin-see
/ˈkɑmpətɪnsi/
Competency is pronounced KAHM-puh-tin-see (/ˈkɑmpətɪnsi/). It has four syllables (Com-pe-ten-cy), with the stress on "Com". Competency refers to the combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable someone to perform a task effectively. It emphasizes practical capability and consistent performance, rather than mere theoretical understanding. In professional contexts, competency often underpins qualifications, assessments, and job suitability by demonstrating demonstrable proficiency.
nounCompetency refers to the combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable someone to perform a task effectively. It emphasizes practical capability and consistent performance, rather than mere theoretical understanding. In professional contexts, competency often underpins qualifications, assessments, and job suitability by demonstrating demonstrable proficiency.
"The candidate demonstrated competence and a strong competency in data analysis."
"The training program aims to build competency across multiple core functions."
"Her competency in project management impressed the interview panel."
Pronunciation: /kəmˈpɛtənsi/ (US/UK). The main stress is on the second syllable, ‘pe-’. Start with a reduced first syllable /kə/ (like ‘uh’), then /ˈpɛ/ as in 'pet', followed by /tə/ and ending with /nsi/ as in ‘n-see’. Audio reference: consult Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries for native-speaker realizations. Keep the final -cy as /si/ (soft C), not /siː/ or /tɪ/.
Two common errors: 1) Dropping the middle syllable or misplacing stress (e.g., /kəmˈptənsi/ or /ˌkɒmpɪˈtɛnsi/). 2) Pronouncing the first vowel as a full /o/ or /ɒ/ instead of a reduced /ə/ (uh). Correction: keep the first syllable unstressed /kə/ and place primary stress on /ˈpɛ/; articulate the middle /tə/ clearly, and finish with /nsi/; practicing with minimal pairs helps lock the rhythm.
US: /kəmˈpɛtənsi/ with rhotic /r/ in many speakers only in connected speech; UK: /kɒmˈpet(ə)nsi/ or /kəmˈpetənsi/ with non-rhotic and a slightly rounded /ɒ/; AU: /kɒmpəˈtɛnsi/ tends toward flatter intonation and similar to UK but with Australian vowel qualities; key differences lie in the /ɒ/ vs /ə/ in the first syllable and the second syllable where /ˈpɛn/ or /ˈpɛt/ may occur depending on region.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable pattern with a reduced initial syllable and a stress on the second syllable, plus the final -cy yielding /si/ rather than a longer vowel. The mid vowel in 'pe-' and the unstressed /tə/ can blur in rapid speech, making it easy to misplace stress or merge sounds (e.g., /kəmˈpɛnsi/). Paying attention to the stressed syllable and finishing with a clear /si/ helps clarity.
No silent letters in typical pronunciation. Each syllable carries its phonetic weight: /kə/ (unstressed), /ˈpɛn/ (stressed), /tə/ and /nsi/ are fully articulated. In rapid speech, the first /ə/ may be very brief, but you should still pronounce it to maintain rhythm and avoid mishearing, especially in connected speech.
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- US: /kəmˈpɛn(t)si/ with rhoticity in connected speech; /ˈpɛn/ can be slightly tighter. - UK: /kɒmˈpet(ə)nsi/ with non-rhoticity and the second syllable often with schwa-like vibe; the /ɒ/ is more open than US /ə/. - AU: /kɒmpəˈtɛnsi/ similar to UK but with broader vowels and flatter intonation; stress remains on second syllable. - Vowels: ensure /ɪ/ in final -si is not over-lax; keep the /i/ as a clear /i/; the /ə/ in the first syllable should be reduced but not missing. - Consonants: the /t/ is crisp; avoid flapping in American casual speech before /ənsi/; keep /n/ as an alveolar nasal.
Competency derives from Old French competence, from Latin competentia, meaning 'sufficiency, adequacy,' from competere 'to strive in together, contend, be equal to.' The Latin root com- (‘together’) + petere (‘to strive, heading toward, aim at’). In English, competence first appeared around the 15th century, originally meaning sufficiency or adequacy to a task. By the 19th and 20th centuries, competency shifted toward a more specialized sense in professional and formal contexts, denoting a measurable set of skills and knowledge necessary to perform well. The term is closely linked to “competent” and “competence,” with “competency” often used in organizational psychology, human resources, and education to describe verifiable capabilities. In modern usage, competency has broadened to include behavioral attributes and practical performance criteria, sometimes distinguishing between “competence” (general ability) and “competency” (specific, demonstrable skill sets). First known uses in English appear in legal and scholastic texts in the 1500s, with increasing adoption in management and training literature in the 20th century as workplaces standardized competencies for hiring and development.
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Words that rhyme with "Competency"
-ncy sounds
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