deft

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adjective \ ˈdeft \

Definition of deft

:characterized by facility and skill

the photographer's deft use of lighting

the deft fingers of the trumpeter

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deftly

adverb

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deftness

play \ˈdef(t)-nəs\ noun

See deft defined for English-language learners

See deft defined for kids

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 of deft from the Web

But Mattis’s deft political touch has surprised many who watched him fall out of favor with the Obama White House.

— dan lamothe, Washington Post, "With a drama-filled White House, Mattis has shown deft political touch," 30 Aug. 2017
But Rachman’s deft cultural references and his acute skewering of American culture make for uncomfortably precise satire.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Basket of Deplorables Riffs on Trump's America," 29 Aug. 2017
In his review of David Blight’s Race and Reunion, historian Eric Foner offers a deft summary of this historical revisionism and its origins: Two understandings of how the Civil War should be remembered collided in post-bellum America.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Confederate Monuments Were Built to Change History, Not Preserve It," 17 Aug. 2017
Usually, cars with such deft responses require sacrifices in ride quality, but the A4 still manages to soak up bumpy roads with aplomb.

— bengt halvorson, Car and Driver, "2018 Tesla Model 3: Everything We Know," 4 Aug. 2017
Denise Driehaus' 2016 election – and her deft ability to collaborate and mediate – proved to be the game-changer to ending the long-languishing city-county sewer district negotiations.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Will city, county now focus on ramshackle Western Hills Viaduct?," 28 July 2017
Her deft hand balances sense of place with fresh sophistication.

— nancy moreland, Orlando Signature, "Florida's New Resorts," 28 July 2017
Traister’s cultural history of the single woman is a deft blend of historical analysis, intense research and interviews with a diverse group of women.

— kaite mediatore stover, kansascity, "Book Club readers find ‘All the Single Ladies’ a powerful endorsement for single life," 21 July 2017
The forage-heavy ethos remains strong at this mellow Studio City street corner, where local produce is highlighted with a deft touch.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of deft

Middle English defte gentle — more at daft

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First Known Use: 15th century

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deft Synonyms

Synonyms

adroit, artful, bravura, skillful, delicate, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), virtuoso, workmanlike

Antonyms

amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful

Related Words

facile, smooth; artistic, creative, fancy, ingenious, neat; adept, clever, cunning; able, adequate, capable, competent

Near Antonyms

awkward, clumsy, crude, klutzy; ineffective, ineffectual; incompetent, inept

Synonym Discussion of 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

DEFT Defined for English Language Learners

deft

play

adjective

Definition of deft for English Language Learners

: skillful and clever
: able to do something quickly and accurately

DEFT Defined for Kids

deft

play

adjective \ ˈdeft \

Definition of deft for Students

defter; deftest

:quick and skillful in action

He cut hair with deft fingers.

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deftly

adverb

Learn More about deft

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Origin and Etymology of deft

deft Synonyms

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DEFT Defined for English Language Learners

deft

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