3 syllables: Com, pet, ent. Stress on Com.
KAHM-puh-tint
/ˈkɑmpətɪnt/
Competent is pronounced KAHM-puh-tint (/ˈkɑmpətɪnt/). It has three syllables (Com-pet-ent), with the stress on "Com". Competent is an adjective describing someone who has the necessary skill, knowledge, and ability to perform a task well. It implies adequacy and reliability, rather than exceptional mastery. In context, it often signals that a person meets the expected standards and can be trusted to complete work or duties competently.
adjectiveCompetent is an adjective describing someone who has the necessary skill, knowledge, and ability to perform a task well. It implies adequacy and reliability, rather than exceptional mastery. In context, it often signals that a person meets the expected standards and can be trusted to complete work or duties competently.
"She was a competent engineer, able to handle the project deadlines without supervision."
"The trainer evaluated the players as competent, though not outstanding, and suggested further practice."
"Although new to the role, he proved competent in managing the client accounts."
Pronounce as kəm-ˈpekt-ənt in American and British varieties, with the main stress on the second syllable: com-PEKT-ent. The first syllable uses a schwa sounds, the second syllable contains a clear /p/ followed by /ekt/ cluster, and the final syllable has a light /ənt/. In IPA: US/UK/AU: kə mˈpɛktənt (approx) or kəm-ˈpɛt-ənt depending on accent. You’ll want crisp /p/ and a short, unstressed final -ent. Audio examples: listen to dictionaries or video tutorials to hear the exact rhythm.
Common errors include: misplacing the stress (peaking on the first syllable com- instead of com-PECT-ent), confusing the /p/ with a stronger /b/ or voicing, and flattening the final -ent into a clear /ən/ instead of a subtle /ənt/. Correct by maintaining the two-syllable weight before the ending and ensuring a crisp /p/ release before /ekt/. Practice with minimal pairs like compete vs competent to hear the subtle difference.
In US, UK, and AU, the main stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel quality shifts: US often uses a schwa in the first syllable and a crisp /ɛ/ in the second syllable, UK may lean toward a closer middle vowel in the second syllable, and AU tends to a slightly flatter vowel before the /t/ and a lighter /t/ final. The final -ent is typically a light, unstressed syllable in all, but may sound more like -ənt in casual speech or -ɪənt in some regional variants. Keep the /p/ unaspirated or lightly aspirated depending on speaker.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable weight within a three-syllable word and the cluster /pkt/ transitioning from /p/ to /t/ quickly. The primary stress on -pekt- means you must produce a sharp /p/ then /ekt/ quickly while keeping the initial /k/ soft after the schwa. The final -ent is unstressed and often reduced to a light -nt. Practicing with minimal pairs and deliberate IPA guidance helps align the tongue positions for accurate /k/ + /p/ sequence.
In standard English, the stress falls on the second syllable, so the middle syllable -pekt- carries the primary stress: com-PET-ent. The middle syllable gets prominence, while the first is unstressed (often a schwa) and the final -ent is unstressed. Visualize your mouth: prepare for a strong /p/ release into /ekt/ and finish with a light, relaxed /ənt/. This pattern is consistent across US, UK, and AU in careful speech.
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Competent comes from the Latin competens, from competere meaning to strive together, agree, or be fitted for. The root is com- (together) + petere (to seek or strive). In Latin, competens described something that is fitting or suitable for a purpose, often used of arguments, claims, or people who fit a role. The word entered English in the late Middle Ages through Old French as competent, retaining the sense of being fit for responsibility or capable. Over time, English usage narrowed to describe people who possess sufficient skill and knowledge to perform a task effectively, aligning with modern professional contexts. The form evolved in the 16th-18th centuries to emphasize capability and reliability in work settings, while retaining its broader sense of suitability for a given task. First known uses in English appear in legal and scholarly contexts, where competence implied a standard of ability required for a role or function; later, general usage extended to everyday tasks and professional settings. The modern nuance balances adequacy with confidence, without implying excellence or superiority. In contemporary usage, you’ll often hear “competent” contrasted with “excellent” or “outstanding,” underscoring that competence is about meeting expected standards rather than surpassing them.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Competent" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Competent" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Competent"
-ent sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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