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dexterous

 
Dictionary: dex·ter·ous   (dĕk'stər-əs, -strəs) pronunciation also dex·trous
(-strəs)
adj.
  1. Skillful in the use of the hands.
  2. Having mental skill or adroitness.
  3. Done with dexterity.

[From Latin dexter, skillful. See dexter.]

dexterously dex'ter·ous·ly adv.
dexterousness dex'ter·ous·ness n.

SYNONYMS   dexterous, deft, adroit, handy, nimble. These adjectives refer to skill and ease in performance. Dexterous implies physical or mental agility: dexterous fingers. Deft suggests quickness, sureness, neatness, and lightness of touch: deft strokes; a deft turn of phrase. Adroit implies ease and natural skill, especially in challenging situations: an adroit skier; an adroit negotiator. Handy suggests a more modest aptitude, principally in manual work: handy with tools. Nimble stresses quickness and lightness in physical or mental performance: nimble feet; nimble wits.


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Wordsmith Words: dexterous
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or dextrous

(DEK-struhs, -stuhr-uhs) pronunciation

adjective
1. Skillful or adroit, mentally or bodily.
2. Right-handed.

Etymology
From Latin dexter (right-hand, skillful)

Usage
"Paul Frazier was quietly dexterous on bass, always the stealth weapon in Mr. Byrne's music." — Ann Powers; Same As He Ever Was; The New York Times, May 15, 2001.


Thesaurus: dexterous
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adjective

  1. Exhibiting or possessing skill and ease in performance: adroit, clever, deft, facile, handy, nimble, slick. See ability/inability.
  2. Showing art or skill in performing or doing: adroit, artful, deft, skillful. See ability/inability, knowledge/ignorance.

Antonyms: dexterous
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adj

Definition: ingenious, proficient
Antonyms: awkward, clumsy, inept, inexpert, unable, unhandy, unskilled


Word Tutor: dexterous
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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: To be skillful with the hands or mind.

pronunciation Step with care and great tact And remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act Just never forget to be dexterous and deft And never mix up your right foot with your left. — Dr. Seuss.

Translations: Dexterous
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Dansk (Danish)
adj. - fingerfærdig, snild

Nederlands (Dutch)
handig, rechts(handig)

Français (French)
adj. - habile, adroit, agile

Deutsch (German)
adj. - geschickt, gewandt, rechtshändig

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - επιδέξιος, επιτήδειος

Italiano (Italian)
destro

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - hábil

Русский (Russian)
проворный, ловкий

Español (Spanish)
adj. - diestro, hábil, inteligente

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - fingerfärdig, fyndig, skicklig

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
敏捷的, 用惯右手的

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 敏捷的, 用慣右手的

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 재주 좋은, 재빠른, 오른손잡이의

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 器用な, 巧妙な

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) بارع يدويا, حاذق, متقن ( منفذ بمهارة وذكا)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮מומחה, זריז‬


 
 
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heavy-handed
left-handed
dexterical

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
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Thesaurus. Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary Copyright © 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
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