deft

[ deft ]

/ dɛft /

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See synonyms for deft on Thesaurus.com

adjective, deft·er, deft·est.

dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever: deft hands; a deft mechanic.

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Origin of deft

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

synonym study for deft

See dexterous.

OTHER WORDS FROM deft

deft·ly, adverbdeft·ness, nounun·deft, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use deft in a sentence

Mahomes has literally thrown a ball out of Arrowhead Stadium, and his raw power is matched by a deft touch.
What Makes Patrick Mahomes So Great|Josh Hermsmeyer|January 14, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Perhaps sealing his fate was an ill-advised TV interview in which he suggested that the GOP’s investigation of the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya, was a politically deft effort to damage the looming 2016 presidential candidacy of Hillary Clinton.
Kevin McCarthy’s rudderless GOP leadership|Aaron Blake|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
As young readers attended school from home, they could take breaks with deft new illustrated literature, much of it almost nostalgically set in schools.
2020 graphic novels and comic books: Five trends that defined the year|Michael Cavna|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Three days later, the deft attacker was back in the lineup for a Bundesliga match against the world’s best, Bayern Munich.
Gio Reyna is primed for his USMNT debut. And he’s only 17.|Steven Goff|November 11, 2020|Washington Post

The retailer’s resurgence stems from a deft mix of better merchandise selections as well as quick, effective deployment of services like in-store and curbside pickup for online orders, as well as same-day delivery.
Bed Bath & Beyond stock jumps 30% on first sales gain in years|Phil Wahba|October 1, 2020|Fortune
Her writing on books and the arts has been impressive in its breadth, depth, and deftness.
Pamela Paul Talks Future of New York Times Book Review|Steve Kettmann|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Suleiman's deftness and ability to win the trust of all parties have earned him high marks in Israel.
Omar Suleiman, Cairo's New Spymaster-in-Chief|John Barry|January 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The deftness of Smith's drafts(wo)manship can often be overlooked in her E.T.-proportioned figures.
A Woman in Full|Chloe Malle|February 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He executed the movement with wonderful deftness, but a singular condition was against him.
The Young Ranchers|Edward S. Ellis
Sooner or later they would leave the room, and sooner or later, with the deftness of his breed, he would enter.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath
The Sergeant went through the storekeeper's pockets with a deftness that bespoke experience.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy
He was planing and polishing a heel, but slowly, without that deftness with which Pan Jzef worked.
More Tales by Polish Authors|Various
Val was sorting and folding away her own belongings with a deftness characteristic of her thin little hands.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins

British Dictionary definitions for deft

deft

/ (dɛft) /

adjective

quick and neat in movement; nimble; dexterous

Derived forms of deft

deftly, adverbdeftness, noun

Word Origin for deft

C13 (in the sense: gentle): see daft

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

deft

Origin of deft

synonym study for deft

OTHER WORDS FROM deft

Words related to deft

How to use deft in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deft

Derived forms of deft

Word Origin for deft