proficiency

noun

prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce proficiency (audio)
Definition of proficiencynext
1
as in mastery
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something surprised by his proficiency at the game after only the briefest explanation of the rules

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skills
knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something acquired proficiency at golf through long hours of practice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of proficiency Researchers at Yale University found that Spanish learners using Babbel for about 15 hours improved their oral proficiency by 100% in three months. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 This includes removing 110 CDL schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests. — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Skills also need to be defined with proficiency levels across different roles. — Tonushree Mondal, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The yearly ranking is based on six factors, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
  1. mastery
  2. skills
  3. experience
  4. expertise
  5. IQ
  6. command
Noun
  • Complicated in-camera effects — matte work, ghost glass, early Steadicam usage — promised artistic mastery, but not necessarily thrills or coherence.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Conventional video production and animation software are built for specialists, requiring years of technical mastery.
    — Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mastery
Noun
  • In his first career start, Russell showed an array of skills.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, Hal does so almost immediately so John can use his artistic skills to create a complex tunneling device for burrowing beneath the compound.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of skills
Noun
  • Together, the workforce brings more than 250 combined years of Minuteman III experience at each base, according to the Air Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • To be with people of different ages, races, and experiences is a gift.
    — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • XPeng says the facility is designed to bring its automotive manufacturing expertise into robotics as competition intensifies among companies developing general-purpose humanoid robots.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The affiliation will unify operations and allow sharing of best practices and expertise, according to a release from both operations on Friday.
    — John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of expertise
Noun
  • Two of star wide receiver Malachi Toney’s touchdown catches during his record-setting performance came against man coverage, according to Hudl IQ.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This is slightly below domestic competitors like the Cadillac Escalade IQ, although Genesis charging speeds are more competitive.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of IQ
Noun
  • The Big Ten added live audio and video from its replay review command center this season, but only for select Friday games.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of waiting for that person to issue a command, OlloNi could approach and initiate an interaction.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

proficiencies
proficiency
proficient
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All