adept

American  

[uh-dept, ad-ept, uh-dept] / əˈdɛpt, ˈæd ɛpt, əˈdɛpt /

adjective

1. very skilled; proficient; expert.

   an adept juggler.

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noun

1. a skilled or proficient person; expert.

adept British  

adjective

1. very proficient in something requiring skill or manual dexterity

2. skilful; expert

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noun

1. a person who is skilled or proficient in something

Other Word Forms

• adeptly adverb
• adeptness noun
• nonadept adjective
• nonadeptly adverb
• unadept adjective
• unadeptly adverb

Etymology

Origin of adept

First recorded in 1655–65; from Medieval Latin adeptus “one who has attained (the secret of transmuting metals),” noun use of Latin past participle of adipiscī “to attain to” ( ad- “toward” + -ep- combining form of ap- in aptus + -tus past participle suffix); ad-, apt

Example Sentences

Russians are still defying the blockade, always adept at finding new ways to access our journalism.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

I told Polk her mother seemed equally adept working with second-graders and high school students, and that her age does not appear to be something anyone is conscious of, including the teacher.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

But it added that retailers and suppliers are "adept at managing this type of disruption" and "will work hard to minimise the impact on customers".

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

The current exhibition at Jeffrey Deitch reveals an artist as adept at capturing natural wonder as he is human passion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Though reserved to the point of being shy, the sheriff was adept at assuming undercover identities, having pretended to be everything from a cow rustler to a counterfeiter.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• accomplished
• adroit
• capable
• deft
• proficient
• skilled
• skillful
• versed