skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: possessed of or displaying skill : expert

a skillful chef

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful treatment

skillfully

ˈskil-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun

Synonyms

• virtuoso
• masterful
• expert
• artistic
• delicate
• adroit
• smooth
• artful

Choose the Right Synonym for skillful

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 skillful in a Sentence

He is skillful at diplomacy.

an artist skillful in the use of color

the skillful manner in which the doctor and nurses treated the patient

These issues require skillful handling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nani was an exciting, skillful winger, and in the early part of his career in England, a one-time housemate of storied compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. —Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

Just navigating the Bay State Conference will be tough enough as Needham, which defeated Newton North in its season opener, boasts an extremely skillful bunch led by Avery Brodsky, Matteo Neretti and Austin Williams. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025

But even the most skillful human dealer cannot provide a perfect hand every time. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2025

The more success rolled, the more damage done, the more skillful the hack and so on. —Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skillful

• skilful
• wilful
• willful
• unskillful

Kids Definition

skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl 

1

: having or showing skill

2

: accomplished with skill

a skillful defense

skillfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

skillfulness noun