skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: possessed of or displaying skill : expert

a skillful chef

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful treatment

skillfully

ˈskil-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun

Synonyms

• virtuoso
• masterful
• expert
• artistic
• delicate
• adroit
• smooth
• artful

Choose the Right Synonym for skillful

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession.

proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of skillful in a Sentence

He is skillful at diplomacy.

an artist skillful in the use of color

the skillful manner in which the doctor and nurses treated the patient

These issues require skillful handling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sarandos, who in shaping the era’s most successful Big Tech entrant to Hollywood has always been a skillful communicator, gave a telling answer. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025

Regardless, what’s left is an undeniably skillful and often thrilling performance, wrapped in a clever script. —Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025

The ability to win puck battles in dirty areas and make skillful plays in tight spaces is still there. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025

As if that wasn’t enough, Twenty One Pilots also continues to demonstrate a skillful way of designing TikTok- and Instagram story-ready moments for fans of all flavors. —Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skillful

• skilful
• wilful
• willful
• unskillful

Kids Definition

skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: having or showing skill

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful defense

skillfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun