Synonyms of proficient

proficient 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈfi-shənt 

as in skilled

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 & Similar Words

• skilled
• adept
• skillful
• experienced
• expert
• practiced
• good
• educated
• talented
• accomplished
• veteran
• practised
• gifted
• great
• virtuoso
• master
• versed
• masterful
• professed
• capable
• complete
• consummate
• ace
• masterly
• competent
• crackerjack
• crack
• trained
• employable
• qualified
• efficient
• effective
• compleat
• adroit
• dexterous
• dextrous
• handy
• polished
• taught
• able
• clever
• deft
• knowledgeable
• old
• slick
• workmanlike
• effectual
• schooled
• refined
• fitted
• sure-handed
• well-rounded
• all-round
• fit
• multiskilled
• all-around
• long-term
• tutored
• multitalented
• habile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inexperienced
• unskilled
• incapable
• incompetent
• amateur
• unable
• inexpert
• inept
• weak
• amateurish
• unqualified
• unprofessional
• unseasoned
• unfit
• unskillful
• unfitted
• crude
• ineffective
• inefficient
• artless
• rude
• ineffectual
• untrained
• ignorant
• inexperienced
• would-be
• new
• jackleg
• untalented
• beginning
• untutored
• unschooled
• untaught
• green
• primitive
• raw
• unseasoned
• untested
• ungifted
• untried
• clumsy
• unpolished
• talentless
• rough
• awkward
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

proficient

2 of 2

noun

as in adept

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adept
• expert
• master
• scholar
• virtuoso
• wizard
• guru
• artist
• specialist
• authority
• ace
• maestro
• professional
• whiz
• consultant
• connoisseur
• hotshot
• geek
• sharp
• past master
• crackerjack
• fiend
• maven
• hand
• meister
• shark
• enthusiast
• dab hand
• cognoscente
• craftsman
• dab
• mavin
• crackajack
• pro
• fan
• devotee
• addict
• journeyman
• buff
• hired gun
• aficionado
• mistress
• afficionado
• Renaissance man
• jack-of-all-trades
• all-rounder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• novice
• beginner
• apprentice
• neophyte
• inexpert
• nonexpert
• layman
• dilettante
• dabbler
• nonprofessional

Synonym Chooser

How is the word proficient distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of proficient are adept, expert, skilled, and skillful. While all these words 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

When might adept be a better fit than proficient?

In some situations, the words adept and proficient are roughly equivalent. However, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When could expert be used to replace proficient?

The words expert and proficient can be used in similar contexts, but expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

In what contexts can skilled take the place of proficient?

The synonyms skilled and proficient are sometimes interchangeable, but skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When is it sensible to use skillful instead of proficient?

While the synonyms skillful and proficient are close in meaning, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of proficient

Adjective

Raheem Sterling, who arrived at Manchester City in 2015 from Liverpool as a creative wide dribbler, became one of the most proficient goalscorers from the wing in Premier League history in his prime under Pep Guardiola, and Johnson’s career could be on course to follow a similar path. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

The video, which looked like a potential crisis, was actually just a fun, spontaneous moment for a swimming-proficient dog. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

Noun

Pre-pandemic, 14% of economically disadvantaged third graders in Romulus scored advanced on the M-STEP reading test and 18% scored proficient. —Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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