dexterity
Americannoun
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skill or adroitness in using the hands or body; agility.
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mental adroitness or skill; cleverness.
noun
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physical, esp manual, skill or nimbleness
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mental skill or adroitness: cleverness
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rare the characteristic of being right-handed
Other Word Forms
- nondexterity noun
Etymology
Origin of dexterity
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dexteritās “readiness, skillfulness,” from dexter “skillful” + -itās -ity
Explanation
If you fall asleep with your heavy head on your arm, you might not have the dexterity, or control of your hand, to hit the OFF button on the alarm clock in the morning. Very small children do well with mittens, because their dexterity, or skill in using their hands, isn’t as developed as in older kids and adults, who wear gloves to separate their fingers. Dexterity helps fingers and hands to coordinate for completing fine tasks like writing, sewing, and playing string instruments. "Mental dexterity" means a sharpness of mind, or skill in thinking creatively and understanding and expressing something quickly and easily.
Vocabulary lists containing dexterity
Romeo and Juliet
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The Hunger Games
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Under Mr. Cullman’s incisive direction the entire cast unties the emotional knots of the characters with impressive dexterity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
She believes that “high-skilled work” that requires the “motion and dexterity of our hands” is still essential for the likes of construction workers, electricians and child-care workers.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026
Tesla is set to unveil Optimus Gen 3 in Q1 2026, emphasizing dexterity and manufacturability for factory deployment.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
Maybe it’s the result of her lifelong comedy background; maybe it’s some leftover dexterity from her years playing the pollyanna icon Leslie Knope on “Parks and Recreation.”
From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026
Two blades were difficult for him; he favored his right and had little dexterity with his left.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
