How to pronounce proficient
Say it like pro-FISH-unt. Proficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce proficient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pro
- FISH
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Proficient pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- proKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of proficient
American and British speakers say proficient in essentially the same way: /prɑˈfɪʃənt/ in the US and /prəˈfɪʃənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-FISH-unt.
What does proficient mean?
- Good at something; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.“He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.”
- An expert.
Where does proficient come from?
From Latin proficiens, present participle of proficere (“to go forward, advance, make progress, succeed, be profitable or useful”), from pro (“forth, forward”) + facere (“to make, do”); see fact.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with proficient
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of proficient.
Questions about saying proficient
How do you pronounce proficient?
Say pro-FISH-unt. The American pronunciation is /prɑˈfɪʃənt/. In British English it is /prəˈfɪʃənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in proficient?
Proficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH). Broken into parts: pro · FISH · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say proficient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prɑˈfɪʃənt/ and the British form is /prəˈfɪʃənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.