dexterity

noun

dex·​ter·​i·​ty dek-ˈster-ə-tē How to pronounce dexterity (audio)
-ˈste-rə-
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially : skill and ease in using the hands
manual dexterity
2
: mental skill or quickness : adroitness

Examples of dexterity in a Sentence

Russ Cellan, Ferguson's coach at Freeport (New York) High, and Ron Prince, his former offensive line coach at Virginia, both attribute Ferguson's dexterity and footwork to his extensive martial arts training … Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006
The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry. S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990
But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates. Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985
The job requires manual dexterity. He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly. The amazing dexterity of the acrobat. He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Given their constraints, the most plausible near-term roles are simple, repetitive, or hazardous tasks in structured spaces, moving totes, staging parts, and monitoring routine operations, where their slower pace or limited dexterity won’t bottleneck the entire line. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025 Zoox vehicles also have an impressive sensor array (including thermal cameras particularly good at seeing people and animals) and four-wheel steering, giving them special dexterity. Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Notably, these findings remained consistent even when each brain region was analyzed independently, reinforcing the neocortex's unique association with manual dexterity. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025 Skilled trades professions such as computer numerical control machinists, are also considered safe, as are drone operators and first responders, which are jobs that involve complex problem-solving in unpredictable physical environments and that require manual dexterity, Sebasco said. Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dexterity

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French dexterité, from Latin dexteritat-, dexteritas, from dexter — see dexterous

First Known Use

1518, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of dexterity was in 1518

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dexterity. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

dexterity

noun
dex·​ter·​i·​ty dek-ˈster-ət-ē How to pronounce dexterity (audio)
plural dexterities
1
: mental skill or quickness
2
: ease and grace in physical activity
especially : skill and ease in using the hands

Medical Definition

dexterity

noun
dex·​ter·​i·​ty dek-ˈster-ət-ē How to pronounce dexterity (audio)
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially : skill and ease in using the hands
2
: mental skill or quickness

More from Merriam-Webster on dexterity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!