competencies

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformal

   The skills or abilities needed to do a job or task well.

   Grammar: Usually plural; can be used in the singular 'competency'.

   Patterns

   • core competencies
   • develop competencies
   • competencies in something

   The job requires competencies in communication and teamwork.

   Teachers assess students' competencies in reading and math.

   She listed her core competencies on her resume.

2. 2noununcountablelegal

   The legal authority of a court or official to deal with a case.

   Grammar: Used in legal contexts; often 'competency to' do something.

   Patterns

   • competency to do something
   • mental competency

   The court questioned his competency to stand trial.

   The doctor evaluated her mental competency.

Word forms

Common combinations

core competencies

The company focuses on developing its core competencies.

professional competencies

The training program covers a range of professional competencies.

competency-based

The new curriculum is competency-based.

develop competencies

Students develop competencies through hands-on projects.

Synonyms and how they differ

skills

More general and less formal; 'competencies' often refers to a specific set of skills required for a role.

abilities

Focuses on natural or acquired capacity; 'competencies' emphasizes proven skill.

Opposites

Word family

competent adjective

Having the necessary ability or skill.

competence noun

The quality of being competent; often used interchangeably with 'competency'.

Commonly confused: competencies or competition?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “competencies”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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