proficient

proficient — adjective

1. able to do a task or activity well because you have learned and practised it

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

able to do a task or activity well because you have learned and practised it

Example

After years of practice, Meera became proficient at playing the violin.

proficient at + gerund (playing)

The company is looking for someone who is proficient in both English and Spanish.

proficient in + language / field

Common collocations
  • proficient in [language/field]
  • proficient at [activity/gerund]
  • highly proficient
  • technically proficient
  • become proficient
  • remain proficient
Synonyms
  • skilled

    broader term — describes natural or trained ability; 'proficient' specifically implies training and practice

  • adept

    slightly more formal; suggests natural talent combined with practice

  • accomplished

    implies a higher level of mastery and achievement, often in creative or prestigious fields

  • competent

    meets the basic standard but does not suggest excellence; weaker than 'proficient'

Antonyms
  • incompetent

    completely opposite — lacking the necessary skill or ability

  • unskilled

    without training or practice; not yet able to do the task well

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'in' for fields or languages ('proficient in French') and with 'at' for specific activities ('proficient at typing'). The noun form 'proficiency' follows the same preposition patterns.

Common Mistakes

She is a very efficient typist' (when meaning she is skilled).
She is a very proficient typist.
'Proficient' means having skill through practice; 'efficient' means working without wasting time or energy.
He is proficient of Japanese.
He is proficient in Japanese.
The correct preposition is 'in' for languages and fields, never 'of'.

Word family

  • proficiency
    nounB2
  • proficiently
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe having the ability to do something well, but they differ in strength and connotation. 'Skilled' is the broadest term — it can refer to any learned ability, whether through training or natural talent. 'Proficient' adds the idea of practice and experience: a proficient person has put in the time to reach a reliable standard. 'Adept' suggests both natural quickness and practised skill, often with a light, clever touch ('adept at fixing small engines'). 'Competent' is the weakest of the group — it means the person meets the minimum requirement but is not outstanding ('a competent driver who still needs highway practice'). 'Accomplished' is the strongest, used for people who have achieved a high level of recognition ('an accomplished pianist who has played at Carnegie Hall'). For everyday use, if someone has trained enough to do the job well, use 'proficient'; if they are just barely good enough, use 'competent'; if they are exceptionally gifted, use 'accomplished'.

proficient ↗skilled ↗adept ↗competent ↗accomplished ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • proficient in English
  • proficient at typing
  • become proficient in
  • highly proficient in

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'proficere', meaning 'to make progress' or 'to go forward'. The word is formed from 'pro-' ('forward') and 'facere' ('to do' or 'to make'). In Latin, 'proficiens' described someone who was advancing or making headway in learning. English adopted 'proficient' in the 1500s to describe someone who has progressed far enough in a skill to be considered capable.