# compete vs competent

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### compete
*verb · IPA /kəmˈpiːt/ · frequency rank #3,678*
To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.

### competent
*adjective · IPA /ˈkɒmpətənt/ · frequency rank #8,018*
Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-competent