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 How to pronounce deft (audio)

noun

Example Sentences

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 Dunham is deft in her characteristic ability to shape an easy yet complex orbit for these three characters.

Sarah-tai Black, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2022 At a late June meeting of an FDA advisory committee, independent vaccine experts overwhelmingly agreed with the need to update the coronavirus vaccines because the virus is now more deft at dodging their protection.

Noah Weiland, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Kelly points out that an earlier insult for a mentally ill person, fruitcake, contains nuts—showing how deft early-20th-century slang speakers were at layering cruelty.

Joseph Lamour, Bon Appétit, 22 June 2022 Pak’s dramatic conception is deft and daring, as seen in dream sequences realized with a light touch and an uninhibited directness.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 June 2022 Few, if any, in the NBA are as deft in switches or one-on-one challenges.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2022 The escalation from ballad to heart-pumper is deft, with a lone synth note the perfect segue from teasing to demanding.

Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 The opening theme, famous for its menacing offbeats, which Valenzuela chose to emphasize rather than soften, was deft and precise.

Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2022 Handling in corners is deft and predictable, and the brakes are excellent.

Brendan Mcaleer, Car and Driver, 3 Apr. 2022 See More

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

单词	deftly
释义	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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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 Dunham is deft in her characteristic ability to shape an easy yet complex orbit for these three characters. Sarah-tai Black, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2022 At a late June meeting of an FDA advisory committee, independent vaccine experts overwhelmingly agreed with the need to update the coronavirus vaccines because the virus is now more deft at dodging their protection. Noah Weiland, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Kelly points out that an earlier insult for a mentally ill person, fruitcake, contains nuts—showing how deft early-20th-century slang speakers were at layering cruelty. Joseph Lamour, Bon Appétit, 22 June 2022 Pak’s dramatic conception is deft and daring, as seen in dream sequences realized with a light touch and an uninhibited directness. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 June 2022 Few, if any, in the NBA are as deft in switches or one-on-one challenges. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2022 The escalation from ballad to heart-pumper is deft, with a lone synth note the perfect segue from teasing to demanding. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 The opening theme, famous for its menacing offbeats, which Valenzuela chose to emphasize rather than soften, was deft and precise. Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2022 Handling in corners is deft and predictable, and the brakes are excellent. Brendan Mcaleer, Car and Driver, 3 Apr. 2022 See More 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 defter; deftest : quick and skillful in action He cut hair with deft fingers. deftly adverb as in masterfully in a skillful or expert manner the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance masterfully skillfully adroitly expertly artfully neatly capably adeptly ably well competently easily proficiently masterly cleverly aptly dexterously consummately facilely nimbly cleanly fluently handily Antonyms & Near Antonyms poorly ineptly inexpertly unskillfully inefficiently amateurishly incompetently artlessly clumsily crudely inaptly awkwardly incapably See More
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deft

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adverb