proficient
7 synonyms and 5 antonyms for proficient, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Skilled and competent, especially through practice.
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.
Antonyms
How to use proficient
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
proficient in
proficient at
highly proficient
Etymology
From Latin proficere, "to advance, make progress" — from pro- ("forward") and facere ("to make, do").
Full origin of proficient →Frequently asked questions
What does “proficient” mean?
The word “proficient” means skilled and competent, especially through practice. In plain terms, good enough at something to do it reliably and well, though not necessarily an expert.
How do you pronounce “proficient”?
“Proficient” is pronounced pruh-FIHSH-uhnt (/pɹoʊˈfɪʃ.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “proficient” in a sentence?
Here is “proficient” used in a sentence: “He became proficient in three languages by the time he was twenty.”
What part of speech is “proficient”?
“Proficient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “proficient” come from?
The word “proficient” comes from Latin. From Latin proficere, "to advance, make progress" — from pro- ("forward") and facere ("to make, do").
Is “proficient” a common word?
“Proficient” is an uncommon word in modern English.
