dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty dek-ˈster-ə-tē 
-ˈste-rə-
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially : skill and ease in using the hands
manual dexterity
2
: mental skill or quickness : adroitness
Synonyms
- adroitness
- cleverness
- finesse
- sleight
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Russ Cellan, Ferguson's coach at Freeport (New York) High, and Ron Prince, his former offensive line coach at Virginia, both attribute Ferguson's dexterity and footwork to his extensive martial arts training … 
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006 The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry. S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990 But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates. Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985 The job requires manual dexterity. He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly. The amazing dexterity of the acrobat. He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity. See More
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006 The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry. S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990 But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates. Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985 The job requires manual dexterity. He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly. The amazing dexterity of the acrobat. He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity. See More Recent Examples on the Web Her lyrics, penned here by North Carolina rapper Rapsody, showcase a slick flow and verbal dexterity. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Our choice for the best gardening gloves for men, these gloves were designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon to provide better dexterity, while reducing hand fatigue, joint pain, blisters, and calluses. Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2022 While Johnson demonstrates a maturation in his visual dexterity, some of his material lacks a similar sense of growth. Courtney Howard, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 Her dexterity, gentleness, and way with lymphatic drainage will leave you sculpted, glowing, and utterly serene. April Long, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 As a young boy, Moreno spent much of his childhood on the field, perfecting his dexterity and agility in soccer. Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 10 Aug. 2022 His big, brawny sound is matched by his dexterity and harmonic sophistication. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 Its presence allows Horn to reflect on the morphological dexterity of the European eel (which changes color and features several times throughout its life) and its general refusal to conform to scientific knowledge. Alana Mohamed, The Atlantic, 27 June 2022 His sidemen, bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Ross Pederson, leaned toward him and were similarly easygoing in their dexterity. Journal Sentinel, 26 June 2022 See More
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Our choice for the best gardening gloves for men, these gloves were designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon to provide better dexterity, while reducing hand fatigue, joint pain, blisters, and calluses. Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2022 While Johnson demonstrates a maturation in his visual dexterity, some of his material lacks a similar sense of growth. Courtney Howard, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 Her dexterity, gentleness, and way with lymphatic drainage will leave you sculpted, glowing, and utterly serene. April Long, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 As a young boy, Moreno spent much of his childhood on the field, perfecting his dexterity and agility in soccer. Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 10 Aug. 2022 His big, brawny sound is matched by his dexterity and harmonic sophistication. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 Its presence allows Horn to reflect on the morphological dexterity of the European eel (which changes color and features several times throughout its life) and its general refusal to conform to scientific knowledge. Alana Mohamed, The Atlantic, 27 June 2022 His sidemen, bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Ross Pederson, leaned toward him and were similarly easygoing in their dexterity. Journal Sentinel, 26 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French or Latin; Middle French dexterité, from Latin dexteritat-, dexteritas, from dexter — see dexterous
First Known Use
1518, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty dek-ˈster-ə-tē
plural dexterities
1
: skill and ease in the use of the hands or body
2
: the ability to think and act quickly and cleverly
Medical Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty dek-ˈster-ət-ē
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially : skill and ease in using the hands
2
: mental skill or quickness
dexterity
noun
1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness the ambassador showed great dexterity in his handling of the touchy situation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ability
- prowess
- proficiency
- talent
- finesse
- aptitude
- adroitness
- competence
- resourcefulness
- competency
- cleverness
- expertise
- efficiency
- knack
- sleight
- capability
- ingenuity
- capacity
- artfulness
- shrewdness
- ingeniousness
- canniness
- faculty
- slyness
- slickness
- guile
- wiliness
- know-how
- sneakiness
- cunning
- savvy
- craftiness
- cunningness
- deviousness
- subtleness
- sharpness
- caginess
- craft
- cageyness
- foxiness
- artifice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ineptitude
- incompetence
- incompetency
- ineptness
- inadequacy
- slowness
- obtuseness
- density
- stupidity
- dulness
- dullness
- dumbness
- denseness
- fatuity
- foolishness
- mindlessness
- simpleness
- witlessness
- brainlessness
- dopiness
- senselessness
- stupidness
- doltishness
2
as in agility
ease and grace in physical activity the juggler needed lots of dexterity in order to keep all five balls in the air at the same time Synonyms & Similar Words
- agility
- nimbleness
- flexibility
- prowess
- deftness
- spryness
- coordination
- gracefulness
- litheness
- handiness
- limberness
- suppleness
- finesse
- sleight
- adeptness
- adroitness
- sure-footedness
- loose-jointedness
- sure-handedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- clumsiness
- ungainliness
- awkwardness
- gracelessness
- gawkiness
- klutziness
- disability
- incapacity
- inability
- gaucheness
- incapability
- impairment
- ham-handedness
- incapacitation
- gawkishness
- debilitation
- disablement
- heavy-handedness
- unhandiness