deft

deft

adjective \ˈdeft\

Definition of DEFT

: characterized by facility and skill

— deft·ly adverb

— deft·ness \ˈdef(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of DEFT

1. The photographer is known for her deft use of lighting.
2. <a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over>

Origin of DEFT

Middle English defte gentle — more at daft

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DEFT

Synonyms

adroit, artful, bravura, skillful, delicate, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), virtuoso, workmanlike

Antonyms

amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful

Related Words

facile, smooth; artistic, creative, fancy, ingenious, neat; adept, clever, cunning; able, adequate, capable, competent

Near Antonyms

awkward, clumsy, crude, klutzy; ineffective, ineffectual; incompetent, inept

See Synonym Discussion at dexterous

Rhymes with DEFT

cleft, eft, heft, klepht, left, theft, weft