dexterous

[ dek-struhs, -ster-uhs ]

See synonyms for dexterous on Thesaurus.com

adjective

skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body.
having mental adroitness or skill; clever.

done with skill or adroitness.
right-handed.

Origin of dexterous

1595–1605; <Latin dexter right-hand, skillful + -ous

Also dextrous.

synonym study For dexterous

1, 2. Dexterous, adroit, deft, skillful, handy all imply facility and ease in performance. Dexterous and adroit both referred originally to right-handedness. Dexterous is still most often used to refer to manual or physical ability but can also refer to mental or social agility: a dexterous wood carver; dexterous management of a potentially embarrassing situation. Adroit implies cleverness or mental acuity, occasionally complex physical skill: an adroit politician; an adroit juggler. Deft suggests a light and assured touch, either physical or mental: deft manipulation of the sensitive controls, of public opinion. Skillful is the most general of these synonyms and can be substituted in most contexts for any of the foregoing, sacrificing only the overtones or connotations of each: a skillful performer. Handy applies mainly to physical skill, often achieved without formal training: handy with tools.

Other words for dexterous

1	deft, nimble, handy
1, 2	expert, apt, able, quick

See synonyms for dexterous on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for dexterous

1	clumsy
2	inept
3	awkward

See antonyms for dexterous on Thesaurus.com

Other words from dexterous

dex·ter·ous·ly, adverb
dex·ter·ous·ness, noun
non·dex·ter·ous, adjective
non·dex·ter·ous·ly, adverb
non·dex·ter·ous·ness, noun
un·dex·ter·ous, adjective
un·dex·ter·ous·ly, adverb
un·dex·ter·ous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dexterous in a sentence

As for Haddington, its robot arm is considered one of the most lightweight and dexterous currently being sold.
British online grocer Ocado, known for its automated warehouses, acquires two U.S. robotics companies | Jeremy Kahn | November 2, 2020 | Fortune
One little part he dexterously omitted, describing the cause of death—disease of the heart.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry Wood
They seize the former so dexterously by the neck that they always master them; the crocodile eggs they suck.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida Pfeiffer
"We have seen a great deal of her of late years," Mrs. Harrowby continued, angling dexterously.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science | Various
Gustavus Vasa was a young fellow there, who dexterously escaped this Bloodbath, and afterwards came to something.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.) | Thomas Carlyle

Lady Celia caught him dexterously by the waist in her mouth, and, swimming to the outer rock, sat up and softly bit him in halves.
The Fiend's Delight | Dod Grile

British Dictionary definitions for dexterous

dexterous

dextrous

/ (ˈdɛkstrəs) /

adjective

possessing or done with dexterity
a rare word for right-handed

Derived forms of dexterous

dexterously or dextrously, adverb
dexterousness or dextrousness, noun

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

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