adept

[ adjective uh-dept; noun 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

Derived Forms

• aˈdeptly, adverb
• aˈdeptness, noun

Other Words From

• a·dept·ly adverb
• a·dept·ness noun
• non·a·dept adjective
• non·a·dept·ly adverb
• un·a·dept adjective
• un·a·dept·ly 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

"Animals are remarkably adept at navigating large, dynamic environments with amazing efficiency and robustness," Dr Fischer said.

From Science Daily

One reason for the gene’s rapid spread: Klebsiella is adept at grabbing plasmids—extrachromosomal DNA–containing resistance genes directly from other bacteria.

From Science Magazine

“I’m very adept at carrying buckets now,” she said ruefully.

From Salon

“The presence of terrestrial microorganism within a sample of Ryugu underlines that microorganisms are the world's greatest colonizers and adept at circumventing contamination controls,” the authors conclude.

From Salon

Fortunately, Wilson and Mandvi are adept enough comics not to fall into that trap even as they avoid the equally damaging peril of too much audience-pandering horseplay.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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