proficient

Where does the word "proficient" come from? It comes from Latin proficere, and was adopted directly into English (1560s).

Proficient’s story begins in Latin: proficere meant “to make progress.” To make forward progress, from pro- (forward) and facere (to make). It reached English by 1560s as proficient. Settled as the English word for being competent and skilled at something. Today, proficient means competent and skilled in doing or using something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient proficere "to make progress", to make forward progress, from pro- (forward) and facere (to make).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1560s proficient "competent and skilled at something", settled as the English word for being competent and skilled at something.