skilful
[skil-fuh l]
- Chiefly British. skillful.
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skillful
[skil-fuhl]
- having or exercising skill: a skillful juggler.
- showing or involving skill: a skillful display of fancy diving.
- Obsolete. reasonable; rational.
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Also especially British, skil·ful.
Origin of skillful
Synonyms for skillful
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.
Antonyms for skillful
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for skilful
Contemporary Examples of skilful
Unlike Thatcher, he had been skilful at PMQ while opposition leader, and he carried it over into his own government.
Historical Examples of skilful
But they were again outmanoeuvred by the skilful dispositions of Agis.
Stories from ThucydidesH. L. Havell
These pages may serve to record the actions of brave and skilful men.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
He was an impetuous leader; but he was skilful too; he never lost his head.
The Boy Life of NapoleonEugenie Foa
The envelope had been tampered with by a skilful manipulator.
The Slave Of The LampHenry Seton Merriman
Oh, he's too clever, too skilful by far to have taken the robe.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
skilful
US skillful
- possessing or displaying accomplishment or skill
- involving or requiring accomplishment or skill
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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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper