dexterous

adjective

dex·​ter·​ous ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs How to pronounce dexterous (audio)
variants or less commonly dextrous
1
: mentally adroit and skillful : clever
her dexterous handling of the crisis
2
: done with mental or physical skill, quickness, or grace : done with dexterity : artful
a dexterous maneuver
3
: skillful and competent with the hands
a dexterous surgeon
dexterously adverb
dexterousness noun

Did you know?

Dexterous comes from the Latin word dexter, meaning "on the right side." Since most people are right-handed, and therefore do things more easily with their right hand, dexter developed the sense of "skillful." English speakers crafted dexterous from dexter and have been using the resulting adjective for anyone who is skillful—in either a physical or mental capacity—since at least the early 1600s. The adjective ambidextrous, which combines dexter with the Latin prefix ambi-, meaning "both," describes one who is able to use both hands in an equally skillful way.

Choose the Right Synonym for dexterous

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 dexterous in a Sentence

They praised her dexterous handling of the crisis. The movie is a dexterous retelling of a classic love story.
Recent Examples on the Web Throughout the dexterous second verse, Chika slowly deconstructs herself before wondering if any of this is really even worth it. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 30 June 2023 He’s impressed by her ability to scale the wall like a dexterous koala. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023 When asked to draw a cat, Ameca produced a recognizable, if rudimentary, sketch of a feline, using a black marker held between her dexterous fingers on a whiteboard. Unlike Sophia and Ameca, most freestanding, ambulatory robots do not look much like people. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 26 July 2023 The crucial partnership here is the one between director and performer, Gerwig and Robbie; anything Gerwig and Baumbach’s verbally dexterous script requires, from Barbie’s first teardrop to the final punchline, Robbie handles with unerring precision. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2023 Among all avian species, the ostrich stands out as one bird with a particularly sturdy and dexterous neck—qualities that are also appealing for robotic manipulators. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Apr. 2023 The use of breath to drive food is probably unique to elephants, with their dexterous trunks and familiarity with manipulating the act of blowing, which is commonly employed for self-comfort and acoustic communication. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 24 Nov. 2015 In the first movement his fluid, dexterous turns in the midst of rapid passagework impressed. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2023 The dexterous handheld gadget has a curved shape that is ideal for reaching all the angles inside of your bowl, making the whole endeavor go even smoother. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 July 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dexterous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dexterous was in 1609

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Dictionary Entries Near dexterous

Cite this Entry

“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dexterous. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

dexterous

adjective
dex·​ter·​ous
variants also dextrous
1
: mentally skillful and clever : expert
her dexterous handling of the problem
2
: done with skill
a dexterous maneuver
3
: skillful with the hands
dexterously adverb
dexterousness noun

Medical Definition

dexterous

adjective
dex·​ter·​ous
variants also dextrous
1
: skillful and competent with the hands
2
: mentally adroit and skillful
dexterously adverb
dexterousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dexterous

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