deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

: characterized by facility and skill

the photographer's deft use of lighting

the deft fingers of the trumpeter

deftly adverb

deftness

ˈdef(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• adroit
• artful
• bravura
• delicate
• dexterous
• dextrous
• expert
• masterful
• masterly
• practiced
• practised
• skillful
• virtuoso
• workmanlike

Choose the Right Synonym for deft

dexterous, adroit, deft mean ready and skilled in physical movement.

dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

Examples of deft in a Sentence

The photographer is known for her deft use of lighting.

a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

Recent Examples on the Web

Fulfilling the promise of this soulful ghost story required a deft touch, posing just enough questions in each episode that viewers longed for answers, not unlike the characters who wander into the light shop. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Hussain’s list of collaborators over the years is perhaps as diverse and extensive as his percussive talent — Earth, Wind & Fire, Van Morrison, Pharaoh Sanders, Yo-Yo Ma, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pat Martino, Charles Lloyd, and Eric Harland all benefited from his deft touch and keen ear. —Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024

This year, the workplace mockumentary continued its deft explorations of the challenges facing Abbott’s teachers and students. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

One is a deft comedy about the misadventures of two young brides in rural India. —Anupreeta Das, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps continuing Middle English daffte, daft, defte "well-mannered, gentle, dull, foolish" — more at daft

Note: Rather than being derived directly from Middle English, Modern English deft may go back to an unattested Old English *gedefte (with umlaut), with a meaning "fit, ready" developing to "apt, skilfull"; the sense shift is otherwise difficult to account for, though the lack of any certain attestation of deft in the sense "skillful" before the later 16th century makes this scenario hypothetical.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

: quick and skillful in action

knitting with deft fingers

deftly adverb

deftness

ˈdef(t)-nəs 

noun