Main Entry: dex·ter·ous

Variant(s): also dex·trous \ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful

Date: 1609

1 : mentally adroit and skillful : clever <her dexterous handling of the crisis>
2 : done with dexterity : artful <a dexterous maneuver>
3 : skillful and competent with the hands <a dexterous surgeon>

— dex·ter·ous·ly adverb

— dex·ter·ous·ness noun

synonyms dexterous, adroit, deft mean ready and skilled in physical movement. dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation <unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss>. adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness <the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause>. deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.