proficient

[ pruh-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. well-advanced or competent in any art, science, or subject; skilled:

   a proficient swimmer.

   Synonyms: accomplished, experienced, competent, adept, finished, able

   Antonyms: inept, unskilled

noun

1. an expert.

proficient

/ prəˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. having great facility (in an art, occupation, etc); skilled

noun

1. an archaic word for an expert

Derived Forms

• proˈficiency, noun
• proˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·fi·cient·ly adverb
• pro·fi·cient·ness noun
• o·ver·pro·fi·cient adjective
• un·der·pro·fi·cient adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proficient¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin prōficient-, stem of prōficiēns, present participle of prōficere “to advance, make progress,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + -ficere, combining form of facere “to make, do”; do, efficient

Word History and Origins

Origin of proficient¹

C16: from Latin prōficere to make progress, from pro- ¹+ facere to make

Example Sentences

Ani is Uzbek American and knows the language from her grandmother, but she’s barely proficient.

From Los Angeles Times

That means that across both groups, more than 85% of students are not proficient in math and English.

From Los Angeles Times

Other research shows that boys tend to be slightly more proficient in financial literacy, and women are twice as likely as men in adulthood to have negative feelings about money.

From Salon

However, in Kentucky, where 69% of 4th graders are not proficient in reading, the program will now reach children in the state's 120 counties, Beshear said Tuesday.

From Salon

Cut to 2016: the Democrats thought they could win with a qualified candidate with extensive experience and proficient policy explanations.

From Salon

Related Words

• accomplished
• adept
• apt
• capable
• competent
• conversant
• efficient
• experienced
• gifted
• qualified
• skillful
• talented
• trained
• versed