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

America produces an extraordinary volume of tall, coordinated, highly skilled athletes who eventually discover there is no professional future waiting for them. — Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Over talking or being the loudest does not make someone a skilled negotiator. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

If DeRozan signs, the Heat likely still would need another skilled three-point shooter. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Studios saved on mailing film prints, and theater owners got to fire their projectionists, skilled engineers who monitored the screen and fixed anything that broke. — Lane Brown, Vulture, 25 July 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