deft

[deft]

adjective

defter, deftest 

1. dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever.

   deft hands;

   a deft mechanic.

deft

/ dɛft /

adjective

1. quick and neat in movement; nimble; dexterous

Other Word Forms

• deftly adverb
• deftness noun
• undeft adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deft¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; variant of daft

Word History and Origins

Origin of deft¹

C13 (in the sense: gentle): see _daft

Synonym Study

See dexterous.

Example Sentences

With just a few deft strokes, Mr. Lloyd finds thoughtful ways of reinvigorating Beckett’s masterwork.

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He was seen as a deft negotiator of the centre ground, triangulating his way out of the straitjacket of traditional left-right politics.

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Gonzales-Day, through applying deft erasures, vivifies the wild and wicked record.

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After a couple of sighters, Aitchison found her range with the boot, putting Scotland back on their own line with a deft dribble into touch.

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A skilful, clever runner with an innate understanding of space and deft hands, she can apply herself to any position across the backline.

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Related Words

• adept 
• adroit 
• ingenious 
• nimble 
• proficient 
• quick 
• skillful