skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

1

: having acquired mastery of or skill in something (such as a technique or a trade)

skilled in the art of negotiation

2

: of, relating to, or requiring workers or labor with skill and training in a particular occupation, craft, or trade

Synonyms of skilled

• proficient
• adept
• experienced
• expert
• talented
• skillful

Choose the Right Synonym for skilled

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession.

proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of skilled in a Sentence

a very skilled and talented writer

He is skilled at cooking.

Carpentry is a skilled trade.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dickinson is very skilled at handling the puck, and often creates chances due to the combo of his skating and skill. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The president of the new campus is Tamekia Morris, a passionate advocate for getting more women into skilled trades. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Industry associations have long warned of a growing shortage of skilled labor capable of supporting US efforts to build new AI data centers, semiconductor fabs, automotive factories, and shipyards. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Dostie, who worked with a skilled cadaver dog, had become convinced that there were more bodies buried at Barker Ranch, the Death Valley outpost where the Manson Family fled after the murders. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skilled

• backfilled
• distilled
• fulfilled
• infilled
• instilled
• rebuild
• refilled
• unfilled
• unskilled
• untilled
• billed
• build

Kids Definition

skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

1

: having skill : expert

skilled workers

2

: requiring skill and training

a skilled trade