proficiency
Americannoun
-
proficiencies
plural
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of proficiency
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin prōfici(ēns) “advancing” ( see proficient) + -ency
Explanation
If you have proficiency with something, you are pretty good at it. If you have proficiency with Spanish, you can understand and communicate well in that language. Proficiency, pronounced "pro-FISH-en-cee," comes from the Latin word proficere, meaning "accomplish, make progress, be useful." If you have achieved proficiency in something, you have done well at gaining a skill. However, having proficiency doesn't make you an expert. Still, proficiency is something to be proud of — it means you have worked hard, and if you keep going, you probably will become an expert.
Vocabulary lists containing proficiency
Power Prefix: pro
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Twelve Years a Slave
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Spinning that lore for a modern audience, then, calls for fronting the cast with a star whose popular persona is outsized compared to his dramatic proficiency.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
“Atlas of the Roman Empire” is brisk and impartial, demonstrating how the Romans’ success in maintaining power owed more to their administrative proficiency than individual flair.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
His four goals and four assists along with creating 54 chances, including nine big chances, highlight his proficiency at both ends of the pitch.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
“In today’s world, a valuable education includes proficiency at workforce-related tools, whether those are specific to a student’s degree or more generally applicable like generative AI,” she said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
The languages they spoke, in rank of proficiency.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Most of the proficiencies required can be gained through further education.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2023
My language proficiencies overcome those barriers and I have tried to help people who have no idea what to do once they land here.
From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2022
I sometimes looked in vain for stacks of books along the walls that weren’t didactically aligned with state-ordained, “testable” proficiencies.
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2021
Beyoncé’s proficiencies include the art of publicity, and her messaging is as precise as her melisma.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 18, 2019
The peculiar proficiencies of great epochs are as astonishing as the exploits of individual frenzy.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 83, September, 1864 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
