proficiency

UK/pɹəˈfɪʃənsi/US/pɹəˈfɪʃənsi/

nounB2+Occasional — familiar, but not everyday · #11,208 of 15,258mostly written

Proficiency is a good working command of a skill. Language proficiency, a proficiency test, demonstrate proficiency.

It sits below mastery and above competence, and it is the level at which somebody can actually use the skill for real work. In language teaching, proficiency is measured against defined levels rather than against a course.

Definitions of proficiency

1nounproficiencyA good working command of a skill.B2+
“Applicants must show proficiency in English and one other language.”

proficiency is a skill.

Where it comes from

Latin proficiens means making progress, from pro-, forward, plus facere, to make.

From proficient or its etymon, Latin prōficiēns, ency.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practise this word

proficiency in the wild

Language proficiency is the ability of an individual to use language with a level of accuracy which transfers meaning in production and comprehension.
Language proficiency
The definition of "limited English proficiency" varies between states and within state districts.
Limited English proficiency
The Test of Proficiency in Korean is a test to measure the Korean language proficiency of non-native speakers in South Korea.
Test of Proficiency in Korean
The new version of the TOCFL has four proficiency bands: Novice, Band A, Band B, and Band C.
Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language
Test takers can choose the test levels best suited to them based on their Chinese language proficiency and learning background.
Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

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