adroit

[ uh-droit ]

adjective

1. expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body.

   Synonyms: adept, apt, deft, clever, skillful

   Antonyms: clumsy

2. cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious:

   an adroit debater.

adroit

/ əˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

1. skilful or dexterous
2. quick in thought or reaction

Derived Forms

• aˈdroitly, adverb
• aˈdroitness, noun

Other Words From

• a·droit·ly adverb
• a·droit·ness noun
• un·a·droit adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adroit¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from French, Old French: “elegant, skillful,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + droit, dreit “straight, just, correct,” from Latin dīrēctus; direct

Word History and Origins

Origin of adroit¹

C17: from French à droit according to right, rightly

Synonym Study

See dexterous.

Example Sentences

The result, according to the Evening Standard's Nick Curtis, is a "technically adroit and complex production in which a team of stage managers play almost as important a part as Snook".

From BBC

Nacua made one last adroit cut to his left, juked past a security guard, joined his teammates and accepted the ball seconds before his absence would have been awkward.

From Los Angeles Times

His Cambodia People’s Party has had a stranglehold on power, fostered by Hun Sen’s autocratic rule and adroit political maneuvers that crippled any effective opposition.

From Seattle Times

Foley’s adroit, sly, softly powerful style in Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto No. 2 drew listeners to the edge of their seats despite a stylistically questionable habit of bending notes.

From New York Times

Unwavering, cooperative, calm — her adroit responses seemed to only further infuriate some GOP members, whose increasingly hostile remarks sparked a fierce backlash from Khan's Democratic defenders on the panel.

From Salon

Related Words

• adept
• artful
• deft
• masterful
• nimble
• proficient
• skillful