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

Synonyms of proficiency

• mastery
• experience
• IQ
• mastership
• command

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

The case that the justices decided not to take up was brought by the immigrant advocacy group Arkansas United, which has provided Spanish-language interpreters at polling sites to assist voters with limited English proficiency. —Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 22 June 2026

Black students also had the district’s lowest proficiency rates in math and English on 2025 district testing. —Uc Berkeley, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

In 1921, the Republican majorities in the Legislature and governor’s office required a demonstration of fifth-grade English reading and writing proficiency to register to vote. —Robert Polner, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026

Look at students’ abysmal proficiency rates in the state of Illinois and tell me a federal program is not needed. —Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for proficiency

• deficiency
• efficiency
• sufficiency
• immunodeficiency
• inefficiency
• insufficiency

Kids Definition

proficiency

noun

pro·​fi·​cien·​cy prə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural proficiencies

: the quality or state of being proficient