proficiency
6 synonyms for proficiency, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A high level of skill or competence at something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use proficiency
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
language proficiency
level of proficiency
gain proficiency
Etymology
From Latin proficiens, "advancing, making progress," plus the noun suffix "-ency."
Full origin of proficiency →Frequently asked questions
What does “proficiency” mean?
The word “proficiency” means a high level of skill or competence at something. In plain terms, how good someone is at doing something — their skill level.
How do you pronounce “proficiency”?
“Proficiency” is pronounced pruh-FIH-shuhn-see (/pɹəˈfɪʃənsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “proficiency” in a sentence?
Here is “proficiency” used in a sentence: “Her proficiency in Mandarin impressed the interview panel.”
What part of speech is “proficiency”?
“Proficiency” is a noun.
Where does the word “proficiency” come from?
The word “proficiency” comes from Latin. From Latin proficiens, "advancing, making progress," plus the noun suffix "-ency.".
Is “proficiency” a common word?
“Proficiency” is an uncommon word in modern English.
