competently

[ kom-pi-tuhnt-lee ]

adverb

1. well or with sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc.:

   Everything was done professionally and very competently.

2. adequately but not exceptionally:

   The piece is competently performed, but no more.

Other Words From

• non·com·pe·tent·ly adverb
• un·com·pe·tent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of competently¹

competent ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Birth control and competently performed abortion are both exponentially safer than pregnancy, a condition that requires regular medical monitoring even under the healthiest conditions.

From Salon

The average voter could be forgiven for not understanding why they are being asked to help care for migrants when the people who are responsible for their presence refuse to defend or even explain it, let alone competently implement their own policy.

From Slate

Mr Lee's government has also been credited with competently steering the country through several recessions, the global financial crisis and the Covid pandemic.

From BBC

In fact, James is the biggest reason the Lakers were competitive, and had they been competently coached, they could have beaten the Nuggets and would now be advancing through the playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times

A few answered questions competently.

From Salon

Related Words

• ably
• efficiently
• expertly
• skillfully