Proficient vs Competent - What's the difference?
proficient | competent |
Good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.
* 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 5
Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
(legal) Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.
Adequate for the purpose
* 1662 , , Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 67:
As adjectives the difference between competent and proficient
is that competent is having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications while proficient is good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.As a noun proficient is
an expert.proficient
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.
- By constant playing and experimenting with these he learned to tie rude knots, and make sliding nooses; and with these he and the younger apes amused themselves. What Tarzan did they tried to do also, but he alone originated and became proficient .
Synonyms
* (good at) skilled, fluent, practicedSynonyms
* (expert) expert; see alsoExternal links
* * ----competent
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.
- For any disagreements arising from this contract, the competent court shall be the Springfield Circuit Court.
- judicial authority having competent jurisdiction
- "For if [birds] had been Viviparous , the burthen of their womb, if they had brought forth any competent number at a time, had been so big and heavy, that their wings would have failed them "