1
: having acquired mastery of or skill in something (such as a technique or a trade)
skilled in the art of negotiation
2
: of, relating to, or requiring workers or labor with skill and training in a particular occupation, craft, or trade
Choose the Right Synonym for skilled

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession.

proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of skilled in a Sentence

a very skilled and talented writer He is skilled at cooking. Carpentry is a skilled trade.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s possible because North America also has the world’s best higher education and skilled labor pool. Chris Turlica, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Mansouri added that Australia’s migration system emphasizes skilled migration and targets individuals with experience and qualifications in high-demand occupations. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024 For the record, there are plenty of skilled public defenders out there. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024 Mendoza-Sanchez, an oncology nurse at Highland Hospital in Oakland, was able to return in 2018 through a skilled worker visa lottery. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for skilled 

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skilled was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near skilled

Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skilled. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

skilled

adjective
1
: having skill : expert
skilled workers
2
: requiring skill and training
a skilled trade

More from Merriam-Webster on skilled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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