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

Of the three Incorrigibles, Alexander was the most adept at the socially useful phrases Penelope had taught them.

Read more on Literature

She amused herself by signing each one with a different socially useful phrase, of the type the children were so adept at.

Read more on Literature

The weakness began with a doji candle on July 18, an adept signal of potential trend reversal.

Read more on Barron's

Borthwick has been adept at picking when to stick and twist with his team.

Read more on BBC

But Igor isn’t just adept at sniffing out truffles — he quickly deduces that she’s emotionally lost.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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