sleight of hand

noun phrase

1

a

: a cleverly executed trick or deception

b

: a conjuring trick requiring manual dexterity

2

a

: skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks

b

: adroitness in deception

Examples of sleight of hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the creative director for Boucheron, Claire Choisne has the sleight of hand of a magician — conjuring extraordinary jewelry from her imagination. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025

In their nine years working together, the decorators have developed their own sleight of hand, cleverly camouflaging pragmatic choices as strictly aesthetic ones. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025

Serra was developing some bespoke sleight of hand for Noble Mobile. —Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Other Texans will be upset that sports betting has come to the state not through the ballot box, but through some regulatory sleight of hand. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sleight of hand

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

sleight of hand

1

: skill especially in juggling or magic tricks

2

: a magic or juggling trick requiring skill with the hands