Proficient

Editorially verified for the Oct 15, 2026

38 Down

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A person demonstrating competence while working on a task.

Clue explainedFact checked

Able means capable or competent, so someone proficient at a task is able to do it well. The clue uses the word in its straightforward sense, rather than as part of a longer expression such as “able-bodied.”

Clue type:
Definition

NYT Crossword

This clue's Thursday, October 15, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Creator of Beats Electronics, familiarly
  2. 4Key of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag"
  3. 9___ ball
  4. 14Classic cartoon dog with the catchphrase "You eediot!"
  5. 15Prefix with Roman
  6. 16Ancient calculation tools
  7. 17Bygone org. for the Houston Oilers
  8. 18Lacks
  9. 19Her Majesty, for one
  10. 20Sure ___
  11. 23Rogue
  12. 24Frighteningly monstrous sorts
  13. 25More than a chart-topper
  14. 28What "!" is used for, in coding
  15. 32Political rival of Mark Antony
  16. 33Genesis
  17. 34Southern California city with a Spanish name
  18. 36Some undergrad conferrals, in brief
  19. 37Put under ___
  20. 40One who's left, for short?
  21. 41Overzealous fan, in modern slang
  22. 42Paradise
  23. 46Big fuss
  24. 49Make the most of
  25. 51Useful tips for writers?
  26. 53What's close to the bone?
  27. 54Possible translation of "y"
  28. 55One way to start a race ... or a hint to understanding seven clues in this puzzle
  29. 59Clear molding material
  30. 62Aquarium fish with "neon" and "emperor" varieties
  31. 63Ramadan's end
  32. 64Cease ___
  33. 65Have leftovers, say
  34. 66Actor Stephen of "V for Vendetta"
  35. 67Promotes
  36. 68Tempo
  37. 69Foxy

Down

  1. 1___ breathers
  2. 2Asylum seeker
  3. 3Swell
  4. 4Shocked
  5. 5"Metropolitan Life" author Lebowitz
  6. 6In case
  7. 7Possible puberty problem
  8. 8Emblem with an Ojibwe name
  9. 9Hipster of times past
  10. 10Belt with a kimono
  11. 11___ starters
  12. 12Pastry whose name is French for "lightning"
  13. 13Associated with
  14. 21Eavesdrop from afar, maybe
  15. 22When N.Y.C. tourism is typically high
  16. 26Taunt
  17. 27Professor's world
  18. 29Tech co. that was integral to early computer science
  19. 30Bubbles, e.g.
  20. 31"Groovy!"
  21. 35"Hurry!"
  22. 38Proficient
  23. 39Boom sticks?
  24. 40Fills, as a buffet plate
  25. 43Things that might be provided with grace?
  26. 44Book after Lamentations
  27. 45Tabloid that's one of the 10 highest-circulation papers in the U.S.
  28. 46___ place
  29. 47Cantankerous
  30. 48Rover's sound
  31. 50Card that's the source for "blue mana" in Magic: The Gathering
  32. 52Plots
  33. 56Gather from the field
  34. 57Suffix with kitchen
  35. 58Wheel that comes apart easily?
  36. 60Treatment for a bruise
  37. 61Platform for Duck Hunt, in brief

The answer to “Proficient” in the New York Times crossword is ABLE — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 15, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 38-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Proficient” answer

ABLE (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ABLE.

What does ABLE mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of ABLE is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(adjective)

  • having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something
  • having considerable skill, proficiency, or intelligence

When else has “Proficient” appeared?

New York Times reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

October 15, 2026 (most recent) → ABLE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Proficient”?

The answer is ABLE, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 15, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Proficient”?

4 letters: ABLE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 15, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 38-Down.

Can “Proficient” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for October 15, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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