Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

proficient

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of proficient

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
  • She is quite proficient at computer repair.
  • a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece.
Synonyms of proficient

accomplished, ace, adept, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
Words Related to proficient

adroit, clever, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed

gifted, talented

polished, refined

effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike

able, capable, competent, fit, fitted, qualified

educated, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored

all-around (also all-round), well-rounded

multiskilled, multitalented
Near Antonyms of proficient

incapable, incompetent, inept, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak

artless, crude, rude

ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient

talentless, ungifted, untalented

ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored

beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be

primitive, rough, unpolished

awkward, clumsy, heavy-handed
Antonyms of proficient

amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful

Synonym Discussion of proficient

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

Learn More about proficient

  1. See words that rhyme with proficient Dictionary: Definition of proficient Spanish Central: Translation of proficient Nglish: Translation of proficient for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proficient for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up proficient? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

play

unwilling or reluctant

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  2. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  3. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  4. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  5. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Bee Cubed
Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game