proficiency
noun
pro·fi·cien·cy
prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
1
: advancement in knowledge or skill : progress
2
: the quality or state of being proficient
Examples of proficiency in a Sentence
surprised by his proficiency at the game after only the briefest explanation of the rules
acquired proficiency at golf through long hours of practice
Recent Examples on the Web
About 78% failed to reach proficiency in math for their grade on the 2024-25 exam.
—
Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Reading proficiency at the end of third grade is a major indicator of future academic success, according to Read On Arizona, an early literacy improvement initiative launched in 2013.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As an example, Crosson points out a school with a high proficiency rate for a group of students, but less than 50 students in that group.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
At Ballard High School in Louisville, where just 31 percent of roughly 2,000 students meet state reading proficiency standards, 891 books were checked out in August, compared to 533 last year — an increase of 67 percent.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
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Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Reading proficiency at the end of third grade is a major indicator of future academic success, according to Read On Arizona, an early literacy improvement initiative launched in 2013.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As an example, Crosson points out a school with a high proficiency rate for a group of students, but less than 50 students in that group.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
At Ballard High School in Louisville, where just 31 percent of roughly 2,000 students meet state reading proficiency standards, 891 books were checked out in August, compared to 533 last year — an increase of 67 percent.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Cite this Entry
“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proficiency. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proficiency
noun
pro·fi·cien·cy
prə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural proficiencies
: the quality or state of being proficient
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