deftness

American  

[deft-nis] / ˈdɛft nɪs /

noun

1. cleverness or skill in using either the body or mind; dexterity or nimbleness.

   He was a highly skilled artisan who used his tools with the deftness and certainty of genius.

---

Etymology

Origin of deftness

deft ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Working on the variety of her game - coming forward to the net and showing more deftness - has been a key focus for Sabalenka.

From BBC

The author has a gift for describing pristine lowland forests and the majesty of trees more than 1,000 years old, and equal deftness in showing the horror of their devastation by logging and fire.

From The Wall Street Journal

Men who don’t understand Los Angeles will never understand me, and for that, they’re unworthy of my deftness at loving.

From Los Angeles Times

With an offhand deftness, Ceylan lays bare the sort of master operator who hides in plain sight, skilled at ensnaring unwitting victims.

From Los Angeles Times

Emecheta, with immense deftness and subtlety, provides a haunting and forceful attack on patriarchy, sexism and misogyny in Nigeria, and indicates how they taint and limit a nation.

From New York Times

Related Words

• nimbleness