skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: possessed of or displaying skill : expert

a skillful chef

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful treatment

skillfully

ˈskil-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for skillful

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 skillful in a Sentence

He is skillful at diplomacy.

an artist skillful in the use of color

the skillful manner in which the doctor and nurses treated the patient

These issues require skillful handling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hussain’s skillful filmmaking avoids making obvious points, instead deepening the narrative as a singular character study with sci-fi elements. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

In conversation, Raphael quickly highlights how the harmonica, which requires multiple senses for skillful mastery as a tool of self-expression, is personally relatable to anyone. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 4 Dec. 2024

In addition, since headhunters now have a huge variety of profiles raining in for their open spots, each position can be filled with the most experienced and skillful person available. —Adriana Gattermayr, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

There are dozens of really skillful clergy and educators in this country who are doing this all the time, and it can be done. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: having or showing skill

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful defense

skillfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun