dexterous
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.dex·ter·ous
adjective \ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs\Definition of DEXTEROUS
1
: mentally adroit and skillful : clever <her dexterous handling of the crisis>
3
: skillful and competent with the hands <a dexterous surgeon>
— dex·ter·ous·ly adverb
— dex·ter·ous·ness noun
See Variants of DEXTEROUS
dex·ter·ous also dex·trous \ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs\
Examples of DEXTEROUS
- They praised her dexterous handling of the crisis.
- The movie is a dexterous retelling of a classic love story.
Origin of DEXTEROUS
Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful
First Known Use: 1609
Related to DEXTEROUS
- Antonyms
- butterfingered, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, unhandy
Synonym Discussion of DEXTEROUS
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>.
dex·ter·ous
adjective (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of DEXTEROUS
1
: skillful and competent with the hands
2
: mentally adroit and skillful
—dex·ter·ous·ly adverb
—dex·ter·ous·ness noun
Variants of DEXTEROUS
dex·ter·ous also dex·trous \ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs\ (audio pronunciation)
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