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

Like Prince, one of Martin’s idols, he is adept at many styles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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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Related Words

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