First Known Use: circa 1590
Dictionary
proficient
adjective pro·fi·cient \prə-ˈfi-shənt\
: good at doing something
Full Definition of PROFICIENT
: well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge
— proficient noun
— pro·fi·cient·ly adverb
See proficient defined for English-language learners
See proficient defined for kids
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Examples of PROFICIENT
- With this system, a large pool of teachers are asked to identify students they believe are proficient in a given subject; those students are then tested, and their grades stand as the proficiency range. —Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 15 Sept. 2003
- Dr. Pascual-Leone recruited 15 proficient Braille readers and wired them up so he could measure their somatosensory cortex—the part of the brain that registers and processes the sense of touch. —Sharon Begley, Wall Street Journal, 11 Oct. 2002
- Become proficient at lag putting and you may make a few. —Dave Pelz, Golf Magazine, July 1996
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Origin of PROFICIENT
Related to PROFICIENT
- Synonyms
- accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), professed, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
- Antonyms
- amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
Synonym Discussion of PROFICIENT
proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession. proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice <proficient in translating foreign languages>. adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency <adept at doing long division>. skilled stresses mastery of technique <a skilled surgeon>. skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance <skillful drivers>. expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill <expert in the evaluation of wines>.
Rhymes with PROFICIENT
PROFICIENTLY Defined for Kids
proficient
adjective pro·fi·cient \prə-ˈfi-shənt\
Definition of PROFICIENT for Kids
: very good at doing something <a proficient reader>
— pro·fi·cient·ly adverb
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