First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
deft
adjective \ˈdeft\
: skillful and clever
: able to do something quickly and accurately
Full Definition of DEFT
: characterized by facility and skill
— deft·ly adverb
— deft·ness \ˈdef(t)-nəs\ noun
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Origin of DEFT
Middle English defte gentle — more at daft
Related to DEFT
- Synonyms
- adroit, artful, bravura, skillful, delicate, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), virtuoso, workmanlike
- Antonyms
- amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful
Synonym Discussion of DEFT
dexterous, adroit, deft mean ready and skilled in physical movement. dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation <unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss>. adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness <the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause>. deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.
DEFT Defined for Kids
deft
adjective \ˈdeft\
deft·erdeft·est
Definition of DEFT for Kids
: quick and skillful in action <He cut hair with deft fingers.>
— deft·ly adverb
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