adroit

[uh-droit]

adjective

1. expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body.

   Synonyms: adept, apt, deft, clever, skillful
   Antonyms: clumsy

2. cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious.

   an adroit debater.

adroit

/ əˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

1. skilful or dexterous

2. quick in thought or reaction

Other Word Forms

• adroitly adverb
• adroitness noun
• unadroit adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adroit¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from French, Old French: “elegant, skillful,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + droit, dreit “straight, just, correct,” from Latin dīrēctus; direct

Word History and Origins

Origin of adroit¹

C17: from French à droit according to right, rightly

Synonym Study

See dexterous.

Example Sentences

Russell’s powerful, at times operatic, vocals and energetic stage presence proved the perfect foil for Ron’s distinctly quirky mien and adroit facility with words and keys.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the Bronx Bombers longtime general manager, Brian Cashman, didn’t mope, instead improving the American League champion roster with several adroit moves, starting with pitchers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The result, according to the Evening Standard's Nick Curtis, is a "technically adroit and complex production in which a team of stage managers play almost as important a part as Snook".

Read more on BBC

Nacua made one last adroit cut to his left, juked past a security guard, joined his teammates and accepted the ball seconds before his absence would have been awkward.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His Cambodia People’s Party has had a stranglehold on power, fostered by Hun Sen’s autocratic rule and adroit political maneuvers that crippled any effective opposition.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• adept 
• artful 
• deft 
• masterful 
• nimble 
• proficient 
• skillful