If you´re looking for another word for Proficient , here are a bunch of useful synonyms for the word, ranked in different categories: common, advanced and idioms.
Most Common Synonyms For the Word Proficient
Skilled
In its simplest form, to be skilled means that you are good at something – you have a skill. “He is skilled in archery”, for example.
Competent
(Adjective) To be competent, you have the skills to be successful. “He’s competent, so I will give him the job”, for example.
Professional
Both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, this word can mean that you are a professional. As an adjective, you can do a professional job. In a sentence combining both, for example: “I hired a professional to do a professional bit of work”.
Able
Closely linked to competent, this modal verb is used quite a lot in day to day life. If you are able to do something, means you can do it. As an adjective, it can be used like, “she is very able”.
Capable
Similar to able, this word means you have potential, the skills, in other words, you are competent.
Effective
This adjective, not be confused with ‘affective’, is closely linked to success. If something is effective, it has proved to be successful.
Experienced
To be experienced, you have acquired skills over many years. A fireman working at his job for ten years, for example, is experienced.
Talented
As a noun, this word is talent. To be talented, you have something special which can be used for great success. “The footballer is very talented”.
Qualified
Similar to experienced, to be qualified you have a certain set of skills – “She is qualified”.
Stepping Up: More Advanced Words For Proficient
If you are out to impress, using some of these words will help you on your way to becoming a word-wizard.
Versed
“She is well versed on the history of the world”.
As a noun, a verse is a section in a poem or song. To be versed, however, relates to the idea that you have learned your poem or song. In other words, you have practiced and are now able, skilled.
Apt
- “He is a very apt pupil and what he said was very aptly put”.
This small adjective is surprisingly uncommon, and basically means that to be apt is to be clever and capable.
Adept
- “My father is very adept at wood-carving”.
- Similar to apt, to be adept is to be highly skilled and therefore competent.
Dexterous
- “Napoleon Bonaparte used very dexterous means to achieve his goal”.
Actually related to the hands, to be ‘ambidextrous’ is to be able to use both hands well. The word dexterous has now become linked with having great skill.
Idioms: What the Common People Say
“In the Know How”
This phrase suggests that somebody has some knowledge or skill which most others do not.
“Up To Speed”
As the phrase might suggest, this doesn’t necessarily mean that somebody works quickly, but it more so means that a person is fully informed, up-to-date and therefore able.
“Savvy”
A more recent addition to the English language, this adjective when describing a person suggests the he or she is not only clever, but has an intelligence which is ‘shrewd’.