deft

adjective

\ ˈdeft

Definition of deft

: characterized by facility and skill the photographer's deft use of lighting the deft fingers of the trumpeter

Other Words from deft Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deft

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Choose the Right Synonym for deft

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

Examples of deft in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Wilson watches the robotic arm trace deft patterns on a full-scale test platform, and then grins as Loomis hands him a phone loaded with an app to move the arm manually. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Disrupting the Pentagon: Can the Air Force Learn To Love Startup Culture?," 12 Apr. 2019 Despite that wow moment, though, the table and other eye-catching pieces don't feel out of place, thanks to Hilliard's deft layering ability. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "This Colorful California Home Will Make You Want a Neon Coffee Table," 22 Mar. 2019 Last year, Sharp Objects won over many a critic—largely thanks to Amy Adams's deft performance opposite the masterful Patricia Clarkson, her abusive onscreen mother. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Is Sharp Objects, the HBO Series Starring Amy Adams, Getting a Season 2? Well, Maybe.," 12 Mar. 2019 The Philadelphia Citizen’s profile on Stuart Leon is also a deft exploration of tensions between the city and bike riders. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "Shooting at Trenton arts fest, Jersey Shore feels the heat of climate change | Morning Newsletter," 18 June 2018 The design world darling is well known for his deft handling of historic properties. — Olivia Martin, Town & Country, "This Upper East Side Townhouse Is Brimming With Bespoke Furniture and French Antiques," 25 Jan. 2019 Veterans who have hosted more than once include Jimmy Kimmel, who presided over falling ratings the last two years but won praise for his deft handling of the job during culturally and politically tumultuous times. — Ellen Gamerman, WSJ, "For the Oscars, It Is Back to the Drawing Board After Kevin Hart’s Departure as Host," 7 Dec. 2018 In Grasby’s deft hands, each slab becomes a unique canvas for abstract forms and statement-making style. — Jennifer Fernandez, House Beautiful, "This Company Is Making Gorgeous Terrazzo Furnishings Out Of Recycled Marble," 11 Dec. 2018 The actors are deft at striking the right balance of affectation and affection. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "What to Watch on Netflix in October, According to Our Editors," 1 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for deft

perhaps continuing Middle English daffte, daft, defte "well-mannered, gentle, dull, foolish" — more at daft

Note: Rather than being derived directly from Middle English, Modern English deft may go back to an unattested Old English *gedefte (with umlaut), with a meaning "fit, ready" developing to "apt, skilfull"; the sense shift is otherwise difficult to account for, though the lack of any certain attestation of deft in the sense "skillful" before the later 16th century makes this scenario hypothetical.

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