skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

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

Synonyms

• proficient
• adept
• experienced
• expert
• talented
• skillful
• practiced

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

Tech industry leaders, meanwhile, have long pushed for higher H-1B caps, citing demand for high-skilled talent that exceeds the domestic supply. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

Narcissistic kindness can take many forms, and some narcissists may be more skilled at concealing their real motives than others. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Governments worldwide are already seizing the opportunity to attract skilled workers to their countries. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

Both are highly skilled, particularly as skaters, and incredibly well-rounded, with Sanderson quite nearly joining Heiskanen in the Franchise Tier of our NHL-wide rankings ahead of the season. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skilled

• backfilled
• distilled
• fulfilled
• infilled
• instilled
• rebuild
• refilled
• unfilled
• unskilled
• untilled
• billed
• build

Kids Definition

skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

1

: having skill : expert

skilled workers

2

: requiring skill and training

a skilled trade