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.
For instance, the Los Angeles Unified School District, where the math proficiency rate hit a painful low of 32% in 2024, paid its Chief of Equity and Access $272,241 in salary and benefits in 2022. Wenyuan Wu, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024 Money has also poured into this acrimonious race as Steel has questioned Tran’s proficiency in Vietnamese — an important point for the district’s influential bloc of Vietnamese voters — and sought to link him to the Chinese Community Party in ads. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 The curriculum failed to meet proficiency standards, according to the resolution that passed 4-1, with only Bixler dissenting. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 The big picture: Due to a U.S. labor shortage fueled in part by the pandemic, employers like Walmart are dropping degree requirements from many jobs to focus on hiring people for their specific proficiencies. Worth Sparkman, Axios, 24 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 30 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
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