Proficient — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /prə-ˈfi-shənt/ pro·fi·cient

Meaning & Definition of Proficient

Proficient (adjective)

  1. able to do something to a higher than average standard, skilled

Proficient (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

    "she is quite proficient at computer repair"

    "a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece"

    similar: accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, professed, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
    related: adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, all-around, well-rounded, long-term, old, multiskilled, multitalented
    opposite: amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
    near: incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, primitive, rough, unpolished, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed

Proficient (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

    "an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic"

    similar: ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack, dab (chiefly British), dab hand (chiefly British), expert, fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven, meister, past master, scholar, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard
    related: pro, professional, consultant, hired gun, specialist, addict, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan, craftsman, journeyman, all-rounder (British), jack-of-all-trades, Renaissance man, mistress
    opposite: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert
    near: apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice, dabbler, dilettante, layman, nonprofessional

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Proficient

The most common words with a similar meaning to Proficient:

Chiefly British: dab, dab hand
accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, professed, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, maven, meister, past master, scholar, shark, sharp, whiz

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Proficient

Words with the opposite meaning of Proficient:

amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, nonexpert

Related Words for Proficient

adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, all-around, well-rounded

Near Antonyms of Proficient

incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried, would-be, primitive

Word Forms of Proficient

Derived words: proficient (noun), proficiently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Proficient

Latin proficient-, proficiens, present participle of proficere to go forward, accomplish, from pro- forward + facere to make pro-, do

First known use: circa 1593

Frequently Asked Questions about Proficient

What does "Proficient" mean?

"Proficient" means able to do something to a higher than average standard, skilled. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: able to do something to a higher than average standard, skilled. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Proficient"?

Other words for "Proficient" include accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack and crackerjack. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Proficient" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Proficient"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Proficient". Common alternatives include accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated and experienced.

What is the opposite of "Proficient"?

Antonyms of "Proficient" include amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned and unskilled. Near antonyms include incapable, incompetent, inept and unable.

How do you use "Proficient" in a sentence?

Examples of "Proficient" in a sentence: "she is quite proficient at computer repair"; "a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece"; "an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic".

Is "Proficient" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Proficient" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Proficient"?

"Proficient" is pronounced /prə-ˈfi-shənt/ and divided into syllables as pro·fi·cient.

What is the origin of the word "Proficient"?

"Proficient" comes from Latin proficient-, proficiens, present participle of proficere to go forward, accomplish, from pro- forward + facere to make pro-, do. First known use: circa 1593.