dexterity

[ dek-ster-i-tee ]

noun

1. skill or adroitness in using the hands or body; agility.
2. mental adroitness or skill; cleverness.

dexterity

/ dɛkˈstɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. physical, esp manual, skill or nimbleness
2. mental skill or adroitness: cleverness
3. rare.
   the characteristic of being right-handed

Other Words From

• nondex·teri·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dexterity¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dexteritās “readiness, skillfulness,” from dexter “skillful” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of dexterity¹

C16: from Latin dexteritās aptness, readiness, prosperity; see dexter ¹

Example Sentences

At benches they brush and gently scrape dust from fossilized bone, with the gentle dexterity of dentists cleaning Jurassic-era teeth.

From Los Angeles Times

Redmayne says she has “an effervescence and a dexterity and can play all colors of emotion,” which was why she felt right for Bianca.

From Los Angeles Times

"Primarily we were looking at doing this as access for people with disabilities, or mobility and dexterity issues, who struggle using keys specifically," she tells the BBC.

From BBC

Critics have found the device cheap, too easy – and, frankly, an artist of Eminem’s verbal dexterity can do better.

From Salon

In its previous Manchester run, the Guardian's Clare Brennan awarded the show four stars and said it delivers "power ballads and comic routines with physical and musical dexterity".

From BBC

Related Words

• artistry
• cleverness
• deftness
• finesse
• ingenuity
• knack
• know-how
• mastery
• nimbleness
• proficiency
• skill
• smoothness
• tact