Main Entry:: pro·fi·cient
Pronunciation:: \-shənt\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Latin proficient-, proficiens, present participle of proficere to go forward, accomplish, from pro- forward + facere to make — more at pro-, do
Date:: circa 1590

: well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge

— proficient noun

— pro·fi·cient·ly adverb

synonyms proficient , adept , skilled , skillful , expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession. proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice <proficient in translating foreign languages>. adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency <adept at doing long division>. skilled stresses mastery of technique <a skilled surgeon>. skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance <skillful drivers>. expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill <expert in the evaluation of wines>.

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See a map of "proficient" in the Visual Thesaurus

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