# proficient

/pɹɑˈfɪʃənt/ (US) · /pɹəfˈɪʃənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/proficient
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. skilled or fluent

adjective · CEFR B2

you are proficient when you can do something well and easily because you have learned and practiced it.

For teachers: demonstrating a high degree of skill or competence; often used to describe a level of language ability just below 'expert' or 'native'.

- After three years of study, she became proficient in Japanese.
- The job description requires candidates who are proficient in data analysis and have experience with complex financial modelling.

Usage: Commonly followed by the preposition 'in' for subjects or 'at' for specific tasks.

### 2. an expert person

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who has reached a high level of skill in a particular subject.

For teachers: a person who has attained a high degree of proficiency in a branch of knowledge or a specific skill.

- The workshop was designed for proficients who wanted to refine their technique.
- Even among proficients, his ability to diagnose mechanical failures by sound alone was considered extraordinary.

Teaching tip: The noun form is much rarer than the adjective; in most modern contexts, 'expert' or 'specialist' is preferred.

## Examples

- She is proficient in three different languages.
- After six months of intensive training, the new recruits became proficient at operating the heavy machinery safely.
- While many students can communicate basic needs, achieving a truly proficient level of academic writing requires years of exposure to complex sentence structures and specialized vocabulary.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.