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dexterous

 - 3 dictionary results

dex⋅ter⋅ous

  [dek-struhs, -ster-uhs]
Use dexterous in a Sentence
–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.
4. right-handed.
Also, dextrous.

Origin:
1595–1605; < L dexter right-hand, skillful + -ous

Related forms:
dex⋅ter⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
dex⋅ter⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dexterous
dex·ter·ous   (děk'stər-əs, -strəs)   
adj.  

  1. Skillful in the use of the hands.

  2. Having mental skill or adroitness.

  3. Done with dexterity.


[From Latin dexter, skillful; see dexter.]
dex'ter·ous·ly adv., dex'ter·ous·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives refer to skill and ease in performance. Dexterous implies physical or mental agility: dexterous fingers.
Deft suggests quickness, sureness, neatness, and lightness of touch: deft strokes; a deft turn of phrase.
Adroit implies ease and natural skill, especially in challenging situations: an adroit skier; an adroit negotiator.
Handy suggests a more modest aptitude, principally in manual work: handy with tools.
Nimble stresses quickness and lightness in physical or mental performance: nimble feet; nimble wits.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dex·ter·ous
Variant: also dex·trous /'dek-st(&-)r&s/
Function: adjective
1 : skillful andcompetent with the hands
2 : mentally adroit and skillful —dex·ter·ous·ly adverb —dex·ter·ous·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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