proficiency

noun

pro·​fi·​cien·​cy prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce proficiency (audio)
1
: advancement in knowledge or skill : progress
2
: the quality or state of being proficient

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
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.
In a data science team, the vertical bar symbolizes the team's deep technical skills, which include proficiency in areas such as statistics, machine learning, programming and data analysis. Shivanku Misra, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Even more troubling, this failure rate marks a one-percentage-point drop in proficiency from the previous year, underscoring a worrying trend in student achievement that is raising alarms ... Stephen Moore, National Review, 15 Oct. 2024 In Compton Unified, math and English proficiency increased by at least 2.5 percentage points when compared with 2023. Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 In 2024, Chicago Public Schools’ average literacy proficiency rate is 31%, an increase from pre-pandemic years. Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for proficiency 

Word History

First Known Use

1544, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proficiency was in 1544

Dictionary Entries Near proficiency

Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proficiency. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

proficiency

noun
pro·​fi·​cien·​cy prə-ˈfish-ən-sē How to pronounce proficiency (audio)
plural proficiencies
: the quality or state of being proficient

More from Merriam-Webster on proficiency

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!