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Exceptional vs Proficient - What's the difference?

exceptional | proficient |

As adjectives the difference between exceptional and proficient

is that exceptional is forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare while proficient is good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.

As a noun proficient is

an expert.

exceptional

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare.
  • What an exceptional flower!
  • Better than the average; superior due to rarity.
  • The quality of the beer was exceptional.
  • Corresponding to something of lower dimension under a birational correspondence.
  • an exceptional''' curve; an '''exceptional divisor

    Synonyms

    * See also * (l)

    Antonyms

    * categorical

    Derived terms

    * exceptional space * exceptionally

    proficient

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.
  • He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.
  • * 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 5
  • 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, practiced

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expert.
  • Synonyms

    * (expert) expert; see also