PROFICIENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does proficient mean? 

• PROFICIENT (adjective)
  The adjective PROFICIENT has 2 senses:

1. having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

2. of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

  Familiarity information: PROFICIENT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROFICIENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

Synonyms:

adept; expert; good; practiced; proficient; skilful; skillful

Context example:

the effect was achieved by skillful retouching

Similar:

skilled (having or showing or requiring special skill)

Derivation:

proficiency (the quality of having great facility and competence)

proficiency (skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

proficient; technical

Context example:

the technical dazzle of her dancing

Pertainym:

proficiency (skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity)

 Context examples 

A question about how proficient an individual is at working with percentages.

(How Good At Percentages, NCI Thesaurus)

If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

A question about how proficient an individual is at working with fractions.

(How Good At Fractions, NCI Thesaurus)

A question about how proficient an individual is with calculating a 25 percent reduction.

(How Good Calculating 25 Percent Off, NCI Thesaurus)

A question about how proficient an individual is with calculating a 15 percent tip.

(How Good Calculating 15 Percent Tip, NCI Thesaurus)

I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be examined by a real proficient.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)