This contribution analyzes the origin of the competence construct, its evolution and how it is conceptualized by different authors in different fields. The objective is to reveal the complexity of the idea that the construct is meant to capture; in fact, only by bringing out this complexity can we hope to make the construct truly operational and useful for practice and educational research. In particular, I discuss the multidimensional artefact-like character of the construct of competence trying to reveal the several distinct related dimensions which contribute to form this single theoretical concept.