skilful

[ skil-fuh l ]

/ ˈskɪl fəl /

adjective

Chiefly British. skillful.

Nearby words

Related formsskil·ful·ly, adverbskil·ful·ness, noun

Definition for skilful (2 of 2)

skillful

[ skil-fuhl ]

/ ˈskɪl fəl /

adjective

having or exercising skill: a skillful juggler.

showing or involving skill: a skillful display of fancy diving.

Obsolete. reasonable; rational.

Also especially British, skil·ful.

Origin of skillful

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at skill¹, -ful

SYNONYMS FOR skillful

1 ready, adroit, deft, adept, apt, clever, ingenious.

ANTONYMS FOR skillful

1 awkward, clumsy, amateurish.

Related formsskill·ful·ly, adverbskill·ful·ness, nounqua·si-skill·ful, adjectivequa·si-skill·ful·ly, adverb

Synonym study

1. Skillful, skilled, expert refer to readiness and adroitness in an occupation, craft, or art. Skillful suggests especially adroitness and dexterity: a skillful watchmaker. Skilled implies having had long experience and thus having acquired a high degree of proficiency: not an amateur but a skilled worker. Expert means having the highest degree of proficiency; it may mean much the same as skillful or skilled, or both: expert workmanship. See also dexterous.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for skilful

Unlike Thatcher, he had been skilful at PMQ while opposition leader, and he carried it over into his own government.
Prime Ministers vs. Parliament: Winners & Losers|David A. Graham|July 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
His novels are marked by abundance of incident, skilful handling of dialect, and realistic portraiture.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
By yielding to these desires, we lend them a new force, and we moderate them by a skilful resistance.
Lectures on the true, the beautiful and the good|Victor Cousin
But Alessandro Manzoni is not only a skilful painter of individual portraits, he excels also in grand historical representations.
The Betrothed|Alessandro Manzoni

This is what a skilful teacher may do for his scholars, by a knowledge and practice of the art of questioning.
In the School-Room|John S. Hart
The professional acrobats that are met with on festive occasions are fearless and skilful.
The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe|Ernest Young

British Dictionary definitions for skilful

skilful

US skillful

/ (ˈskɪlfʊl) /

adjective

possessing or displaying accomplishment or skill

involving or requiring accomplishment or skill

Derived Formsskilfully or US skillfully, adverbskilfulness or US skillfulness, 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

Word Origin and History for skilful

skillful

adj.

also skilful, early 14c., from skill + -ful. Related: Skillfully; skilfully.