Ability
Ability noun - The physical or mental power to do something.
Proficiency is a synonym for ability in skill topic. In some cases you can use "Proficiency" instead a noun "Ability", when it comes to topics like ease, fitness, capability, competence. popular alternative
Nearby Word: able
Proficiency
Proficiency noun - A highly developed skill in or knowledge of something.
Ability is a synonym for proficiency in skill topic. You can use "Ability" instead a noun "Proficiency", if it concerns topics such as ease, fitness. popular alternative
Nearby Words: proficient, proficiently
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- knack and ability
- knack and proficiency
- skill and ability
- skill and proficiency
- talent and ability
- talent and proficiency
- capacity and ability
- capacity and proficiency
- power and ability
- power and proficiency
- facility and ability
- facility and proficiency
- dexterity and ability
- dexterity and proficiency
How words are described
| high | high ability | high proficiency |
| physical | physical ability | physical proficiency |
| musical | musical ability | musical proficiency |
| full | full ability | full proficiency |
| Other adjectives: special, better, natural, standard, powerful, actual, real, increased, great, impressive, remarkable, incredible, extra, amazing, greater, flying, basic, racial, magical, stealth, technical. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- But interestingly, her grandfather, from whom she inherited her mark and proficiency in stage magic, was an earth pony and thus had no spellcasting ability.
Source: Magicians Are Wizards - The Power/POW stat in the Shadow Hearts series refers to the characters' ability to withstand special (magical) attacks and not to the characters' proficiency at dealing physical damage.
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Back Stab: An ability that anyone with proficiency in light weapons can take, dealing extra damage from behind.
Source: LARP / Lands of Exile
Cite this Source
Proficiency and Ability. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/proficiency
Ability & Proficiency. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/proficiency>.
Proficiency or Ability. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/proficiency.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "ability" and "proficiency" have occurred on timeline