skillful

[ skil-fuhl ]

adjective

1. having or exercising skill:

   a skillful juggler.

   Synonyms: ingenious, clever, apt, adept, deft, adroit, ready

   Antonyms: amateurish, clumsy, awkward

2. showing or involving skill:

   a skillful display of fancy diving.

3. Obsolete. reasonable; rational.

Other Words From

• skillful·ly adverb
• skillful·ness noun
• quasi-skillful adjective
• quasi-skillful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of skillful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; skill ¹, -ful

Synonym Study

Skillful, skilled, expert refer to readiness and adroitness in an occupation, craft, or art. Skillful suggests especially adroitness and dexterity: a skillful watchmaker. Skilled implies having had long experience and thus having acquired a high degree of proficiency: not an amateur but a skilled worker. Expert means having the highest degree of proficiency; it may mean much the same as skillful or skilled, or both: expert workmanship. dexterous.

Related Words

• accomplished
• adept
• adroit
• competent
• experienced
• practical
• proficient
• seasoned
• skilled
• smart
• trained