dexterous

(dĕk'stər-əs, -strəs) 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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is preferable to dextrous. Both are pronounced dek-strǝs.

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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.

adj

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

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

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.

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For a list of words related to dexterous, see:

• Healthy, fit, bright, or strong

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See words rhyming with "dexterous."

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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