proficiency

[pruh-fish-uhn-see]

noun

1. the state of being proficient; skill; expertness.

   proficiency in music.

Other Word Forms

• overproficiency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proficiency¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin prōfici(ēns) “advancing” ( proficient ) + -ency

Example Sentences

A few timing and tuning issues crop up, which could easily be the result of a first night in a new venue, but which feel odd for a band of such technical proficiency.

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Working at Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers, Pathomrit primarily serves first-generation Thai immigrants, prioritizing those with limited English proficiency, and helps clients navigate Los Angeles’ complex mental healthcare system.

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“We’re top of the bad list, whether it’s crime or whether it’s high school education outcomes, whether it’s reading proficiency, whether it’s college graduation,” said New Mexico House speaker Javier Martínez, a Democrat.

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The debate highlights the ongoing challenge in Nigeria of balancing the promotion of its rich linguistic heritage with the practical demands of a national curriculum and a globalised economy where English proficiency is dominant.

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Ten years ago, it ranked 49th among fourth-graders in reading proficiency on the National Assessment for Educational Progress.

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Related Words

• aptitude 
• competence 
• dexterity 
• efficiency 
• expertise 
• know-how 
• knowledge 
• mastery 
• savvy 
• skill