adeptness

[ uh-dept-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or fact of being highly skilled or expert at something; proficiency:

   Thanks to the teacher’s adeptness at explaining the intricacies of calculus, her students quickly grasped even the more arcane concepts.

Other Words From

• non·a·dept·ness noun
• un·a·dept·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adeptness¹

adept ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

This linguistic adeptness causes tension for both authors, who resent that their American upbringings confined them to English — what Ng calls the “barbarian’s language” and Wong “the language of the colonizer.”

From New York Times

When he swerves to put mortality front and center again at the end, however, it’s a frank reminder that narrative adeptness and sentimentality aren’t strong suits, either.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to their pointed ears, long, ringed tails, and faces with so-called teardrop streaks, striped faces and ringed tails, one trait that characterizes red pandas is their reported adeptness at escape.

From Washington Post

According to the show, the only real achievement of the political energy around police in the past few years might be their newfound adeptness at parroting the talking points the public wants to hear.

From Washington Post

Wagner joins receiver Allen Robinson as the most prominent offseason additions to the Rams, who have once again proven their adeptness at fitting stars under the salary cap.

From Washington Post