Etymology of the English word competent
the English word
competentderived from the Old French word
competentderived from the Latin word
competens (agreeing with, corresponding to, proper)
derived from the Late Latin word
competere (be sound, capable, applicable; meet; happen at same time, coincide)
derived from the Classical Latin word
petere (to seek; attack; aim at; desire)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*pet-using the Latin prefix
con- (together)
derived from the Latin prefix
com-derived from the Latin word
cum (with)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*kom (near, with, together)
Date
The earliest known usage of competent in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
competence,
immunocompetentCognates
Dutch
competent, French
compétent, German
kompetent, Italian
competente, Latin
competens, Lithuanian
kompetentingas, Norwegian
kompetent, Polish
kompetentny, Russian
компeтeнтный, Swedish
kompetentUsage
Word found in Modern English
