deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

: characterized by facility and skill

the photographer's deft use of lighting

the deft fingers of the trumpeter

deftly adverb

deftness

ˈdef(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

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

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

But using humor in response to a scandal only works in limited situations and requires a deft touch, according to Michel Pham, a business professor and marketing strategy expert at the Columbia Business School, who spoke to the New York Times. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

Shooting star: While there are no guarantees of continuing with the Heat, Stevenson continued to show a deft 3-point stroke, this time closing 4 of 10 from beyond the arc. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2025

The series was recognized for its deft balance of humor and substance, and for showing promise as a full-season pickup. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 17 July 2025

At Imagineering, the primary purpose of this advanced tech is to infuse characters such as these deft droids with more lifelike personality, while a more practical use is speeding up development. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 16 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deft

• cleft
• heft
• left
• theft
• bereft

Kids Definition

deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

: quick and skillful in action

knitting with deft fingers

deftly adverb

deftness

ˈdef(t)-nəs 

noun