Words / C1

pr-uh-FISHUNT/prəˈfɪʃnt/

Proficient means able to do something well: proficient in Spanish, proficient at coding. Skilled and good at are everyday; proficiency (already in the dictionary) is the noun. Professional is paid/occupational — a mix-up. Do not claim proficient after one workshop.

Meaning

Skilled and able to do something well (proficient in / at).

Examples

• “Proficient in R is not the same as a documented workflow.”
• “Proficient in R still needs a documented workflow another person can run.”
• “Skilled is everyday. Proficiency is the noun. Professional is about occupation or paid standards. Fluent is language-specific. One workshop is familiar, not proficient.”

Good to know

Skilled; able to do it well (in / at). Noun: proficiency. Everyday: skilled / good at. Mix-up: professional (occupation). One workshop ≠ proficient.

Near in meaning

skilled

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