Synonyms of skillful

skillful

adjective

ˈskil-fəl 

1

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

the ice skater performed a skillful and graceful series of jumps

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• masterful
• expert
• artistic
• adroit
• delicate
• smooth
• artful
• dexterous
• deft
• masterly
• workmanlike
• practiced
• bravura
• creative
• adept
• clever
• ingenious
• cunning
• competent
• capable
• facile
• adequate
• neat
• fancy
• able

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• crude
• artless
• unprofessional
• rude
• amateurish
• clumsy
• awkward
• unskillful
• ineffective
• incompetent
• ineffectual
• inept
• klutzy

2

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

performance testing of automobiles that should be done only by skillful drivers on a closed course

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skilled
• adept
• proficient
• experienced
• expert
• good
• masterful
• practiced
• talented
• great
• accomplished
• virtuoso
• educated
• gifted
• master
• veteran
• masterly
• consummate
• capable
• crackerjack
• complete
• ace
• versed
• professed
• competent
• crack
• efficient
• adroit
• trained
• effective
• clever
• dexterous
• deft
• qualified
• employable
• compleat
• polished
• slick
• handy
• old
• knowledgeable
• effectual
• workmanlike
• able
• taught
• refined
• sure-handed
• schooled
• well-rounded
• fitted
• long-term
• fit
• multitalented
• habile
• all-around
• multiskilled
• tutored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unskilled
• inexperienced
• amateur
• incompetent
• unskillful
• inexpert
• incapable
• amateurish
• inept
• unprofessional
• weak
• unqualified
• unseasoned
• unable
• crude
• artless
• unfit
• ineffective
• inefficient
• unfitted
• rude
• ineffectual
• would-be
• ignorant
• new
• untrained
• jackleg
• inexperienced
• untalented
• untutored
• beginning
• unschooled
• raw
• green
• untaught
• primitive
• untested
• unseasoned
• untried
• clumsy
• rough
• unpolished
• ungifted
• talentless
• awkward
• heavy-handed
• ham-handed
• ham-fisted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word skillful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of skillful are adept, expert, proficient, and skilled. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

In what contexts can adept take the place of skillful?

While in some cases nearly identical to skillful, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of skillful?

Although the words expert and skillful have much in common, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When would proficient be a good substitute for skillful?

The synonyms proficient and skillful are sometimes interchangeable, but proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When might skilled be a better fit than skillful?

While the synonyms skilled and skillful are close in meaning, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skillful

So, too, from Neon’s skillful juggling of its handful of international entries. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

Kayla Poirier didn’t get the glory that comes associated with scoring a goal, but without a couple skillful touches by the senior, Mahtomedi would no longer have a chance to repeat as state champions. —Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025

The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025

Sarandos, who in shaping the era’s most successful Big Tech entrant to Hollywood has always been a skillful communicator, gave a telling answer. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025