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nonproficiency

nonproficiency

7.9
Not enough skill to do something well
  • noun
  • /nɒnprəˈfɪʃənsi/
translation icon : falta de competencia
  • She felt her nonproficiency in public speaking was holding her back in her career.

Examples

  • His nonproficiency in the subject led him to struggle during exams.

  • The team's nonproficiency in coding was evident during the software project.

  • Despite the study-specific definition of proficiency and nonproficiency, these studies showed that proficiency, as a general measure, can be a key variable in determining how bilingual listeners use context and how they perceive speech in demanding conditions.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

inability
vsnonproficiency
177 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

is less absolute and measures shortfall against expected skill standards
deficiency
vsnonproficiency
98 4.5

Not having enough of something that is needed

refers specifically to failing skill standards rather than any general shortage
incompetence
vsnonproficiency
92 4.4

Failing to do a job well because of lack of skill

focuses on not meeting required standards rather than absolute inability
inadequacy
vsnonproficiency
30 5.8

A lack of enough skill, quality, or amount to meet a need

is specific to failing required skill standards rather than general insufficiency
ineptness
vsnonproficiency
3 6.4

Lack of skill that makes someone do things badly

is used when someone fails required standards rather than only being inexperienced
incompetency
vsnonproficiency
3 6.8

Lack of ability to do a job or task well

is about shortfall against set standards rather than formal qualifications
insufficiency
vsnonproficiency
1 6.5

A lack of skill, experience, or resources needed for a job

is focused on lack of sufficient skill to meet standards rather than quantity
unskillfulness
vsnonproficiency
6.6

A state of not being good at doing something

is judged by failure to meet required standards in a given task
skillessness
vsnonproficiency
8.9

A lack of ability to do something well

is measured by failing to meet required standards rather than mere clumsiness
inadequateness
vsnonproficiency
7.6

A lack of enough quality, amount or skill for a purpose

applies to failing skill standards rather than general unsuitability
nonmastery
vsnonproficiency
8.1

A lack of full understanding or skill in a subject

is judged by failing standards rather than by incomplete learning alone
unfitness
vsnonproficiency
6.0

Not able or qualified to do a job

is used for failing required skill standards rather than physical weakness
incapableness
vsnonproficiency
7.4

A lack of ability to do something

is about not meeting required competence rather than total incapacity

Antonyms

30 4.7

A high level of skill in a subject or activity gained through practice

How Proficient

expertise
302 4.9
proficiency
30 4.7
competence
69 4.1
nonproficiency
7.9
incompetence
92 4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

nonproficiency = proficiency (transparent) = non + proficiency

Meaning is directly negation of the noun 'proficiency' using the productive prefix 'non-'.

Etymology

Nonproficiency comes from the part non- meaning 'not' and proficiency meaning 'skill' or 'ability'. So nonproficiency simply means 'not having the needed skill', which is why it describes someone who does not meet required standards.