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Smartness vs Competence - What's the difference?

smartness | competence | Related terms |

In uncountable terms the difference between smartness and competence

is that smartness is the state or quality of being smart while competence is the quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.

In countable terms the difference between smartness and competence

is that smartness is the result or product of being smart while competence is in law, the legal authority to deal with a matter.

smartness

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) The state or quality of being smart.
  • (countable) The result or product of being smart.
  • Anagrams

    *

    competence

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
  • * 2005 , Lies Sercu and Ewa Bandura, Foreign Language Teachers and Intercultural Competence: An International Investigation :
  • Teachers are now required to teach intercultural communicative competence .
  • (countable) The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task.
  • * 1961 , National Council for Elementary Science (U.S.), Science Education :
  • What professional competences do science teachers need?
  • A sustainable income.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, / Lie in three words — health, peace, and competence .
  • * 1811 , Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility , chapter 17
  • “money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence , it can afford no real satisfaction, as far as mere self is concerned.”
  • (countable) In law, the legal authority to deal with a matter.
  • That question is out with the competence of this court and must be taken to a higher court.

    Synonyms

    * ability * competency * nous * savoir-faire * knack (colloq.) * aptitude * See also

    Antonyms

    * inability * ineptitude * incompetence

    References

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