Competent animal, initially not too bad (8)
I believe the answer is:
bearable
'not too bad' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'competent animal initially' is the wordplay.
'competent' becomes 'able' (similar in meaning).
'animal' becomes 'bear' (bear is a kind of animal).
'initially' says to put letters next to each other (some letters go before others).
'able' put after 'bear' is 'BEARABLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bearable that I've seen before include "Able to be endured" , "just about OK" , "accepted" , "Capable of being endured" , "possible to take" .)