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adjective
1.
skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body.
2.
having mental adroitness or skill; clever.
3.
done with skill or adroitness.
Also, dextrous.
Related forms
dex·ter·ous·ly, adverb
dex·ter·ous·ness, noun
non·dex·ter·ous, adjective
non·dex·ter·ous·ly, adverb
non·dex·ter·ous·ness, noun
EXPANDSynonyms
1. deft, nimble, handy. 1, 2. expert, apt, able, quick. Dexterous, adroit, deft, skillful, handy all imply facility and ease in performance. Dexterous and adroit both referred originally to right-handedness. Dexterous is still most often used to refer to manual or physical ability but can also refer to mental or social agility: a dexterous wood carver; dexterous management of a potentially embarrassing situation. Adroit implies cleverness or mental acuity, occasionally complex physical skill: an adroit politician; an adroit juggler. Deft suggests a light and assured touch, either physical or mental: deft manipulation of the sensitive controls, of public opinion. Skillful is the most general of these synonyms and can be substituted in most contexts for any of the foregoing, sacrificing only the overtones or connotations of each: a skillful performer. Handy applies mainly to physical skill, often achieved without formal training: handy with tools.
1. deft, nimble, handy. 1, 2. expert, apt, able, quick. Dexterous, adroit, deft, skillful, handy all imply facility and ease in performance. Dexterous and adroit both referred originally to right-handedness. Dexterous is still most often used to refer to manual or physical ability but can also refer to mental or social agility: a dexterous wood carver; dexterous management of a potentially embarrassing situation. Adroit implies cleverness or mental acuity, occasionally complex physical skill: an adroit politician; an adroit juggler. Deft suggests a light and assured touch, either physical or mental: deft manipulation of the sensitive controls, of public opinion. Skillful is the most general of these synonyms and can be substituted in most contexts for any of the foregoing, sacrificing only the overtones or connotations of each: a skillful performer. Handy applies mainly to physical skill, often achieved without formal training: handy with tools.
Antonyms
1. clumsy. 2. inept. 3. awkward.
1. clumsy. 2. inept. 3. awkward.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Dexterous
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Example Sentences
- And as they become cleverer and more dexterous, they are starting to move from factories to offices and homes.
- They were few in number, but extremely dexterous.
- It requires a cell phone with Bluetooth, dexterous fingers, a strong grip and patience.
Collins
World English Dictionary
| dexterous or dextrous (ˈdɛkstrəs) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | possessing or done with dexterity |
| 2. | a rare word for right-handed |
| dextrous or dextrous | |
| —adj | |
| 'dexterously or dextrous | |
| —adv | |
| 'dextrously or dextrous | |
| —adv | |
| 'dexterousness or dextrous | |
| —n | |
| 'dextrousness or dextrous | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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