Meaning & use

proficient

adjective·Academic

Last updated

Competent or skilled in doing or using something.

See it in a sentence

After a year of lessons, she became proficient in Spanish.

He is proficient with most spreadsheet software used in the office.

A note on using this word

Usually followed by 'in' or 'at' when specifying the skill, as in 'proficient in French' or 'proficient at chess.'

Words with a similar meaning

skilledcompetent

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “proficient”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.