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Synonyms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Lowry’s juggling of staff loyalty, curatorial independence and board direction required a deftness of touch and grace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Samson's deftness to use the crease to arrow square drives through backward point were particularly eye-catching.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

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 • Feb. 7, 2024

Livingstone soon figured out that with a bit of manual deftness and a deep feel for his records, he could use that “scratching” sound as percussion.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Will marveled at the deftness in those huge black hooks.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.