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Proficient vs Specialist - What's the difference?

proficient | specialist |

As adjectives the difference between proficient and specialist

is that proficient is good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill while specialist is specialised.

As nouns the difference between proficient and specialist

is that proficient is an expert while specialist is someone who is an expert in, or devoted to, some specific branch of study or research.

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

    specialist

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (British) Specialised.
  • Noun

    (en noun) (wikipedia specialist)
  • Someone who is an expert in, or devoted to, some specific branch of study or research.
  • (medicine) A physician whose practice is limited to a particular branch of medicine or surgery.
  • (US, military) Any of several non-commissioned ranks corresponding to that of corporal.
  • Synonyms

    * (Someone who is an expert or devoted to a particular area of study) aficionado, enthusiast, connoisseur

    Antonyms

    * generalist

    Hypernyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * specialistic

    Anagrams

    * ----