adept

[uh-dept, ad-ept, uh-dept]

adjective

1. very skilled; proficient; expert.

   an adept juggler.

noun

1. a skilled or proficient person; expert.

adept

adjective

1. very proficient in something requiring skill or manual dexterity

2. skilful; expert

noun

1. a person who is skilled or proficient in something

Other Word Forms

• adeptly adverb
• adeptness noun
• nonadept adjective
• nonadeptly adverb
• unadept adjective
• unadeptly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of adept¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Medieval Latin adeptus “one who has attained (the secret of transmuting metals),” noun use of Latin past participle of adipiscī “to attain to” ( ad- “toward” + -ep- combining form of ap- in aptus + -tus past participle suffix); ad-, apt

Word History and Origins

Origin of adept¹

C17: from Medieval Latin adeptus, from Latin adipiscī to attain, from ad- to + apiscī to attain

Example Sentences

Oloyede is so adept at differentiating the various male characters he plays that I was shocked that there was only one male actor at the curtain call.

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They will lose the human anatomy so familiar from science-fiction, in favor of designs that make them safer, steadier, and more adept.

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North Korean hackers, for example have become more active and adept at using cybercrime.

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He was also adept at marrying modern elements with historic buildings, as at London's Royal Institution and Newcastle's Great North Museum.

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The high-speed hunter, which goes by the Māori name the kārearea, is capable of reaching 200km/h in a dive, making them adept at hunting in the dense New Zealand forests.

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Related Words

• accomplished 
• adroit 
• capable 
• deft 
• proficient 
• skilled 
• skillful 
• versed