dexterous

[ dek-struhs, -ster-uhs ]

adjective

1. skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body.

   Synonyms: quick, able, apt, expert, handy, nimble, deft

   Antonyms: clumsy

2. having mental adroitness or skill; clever.

   Synonyms: quick, able, apt, expert

   Antonyms: inept

3. done with skill or adroitness.

   Antonyms: awkward

4. right-handed.

dexterous

/ ˈdɛkstrəs /

adjective

1. possessing or done with dexterity
2. See right-handed
   a rare word for right-handed

Derived Forms

• ˈdexterously, adverb
• ˈdexterousness, noun

Other Words From

• dexter·ous·ly adverb
• dexter·ous·ness noun
• non·dexter·ous adjective
• non·dexter·ous·ly adverb
• non·dexter·ous·ness noun
• un·dexter·ous adjective
• un·dexter·ous·ly adverb
• un·dexter·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dexterous¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dexter “right-hand,” also “favorable, right, skillful” + -ous

Synonym Study

Dexterous, adroit, deft, skillful, handy all imply facility and ease in performance. Dexterous and adroit both referred originally to right-handedness. Dexterous is still most often used to refer to manual or physical ability but can also refer to mental or social agility: a dexterous wood carver; dexterous management of a potentially embarrassing situation. Adroit implies cleverness or mental acuity, occasionally complex physical skill: an adroit politician; an adroit juggler. Deft suggests a light and assured touch, either physical or mental: deft manipulation of the sensitive controls, of public opinion. Skillful is the most general of these synonyms and can be substituted in most contexts for any of the foregoing, sacrificing only the overtones or connotations of each: a skillful performer. Handy applies mainly to physical skill, often achieved without formal training: handy with tools.

Example Sentences

Within weeks, Zola’s dexterous way with words online had inspired a legion of followers—and resulted in offers for adaptations off of social media—chief among them, a feature film deal with James Franco, which Zola accepted.

From Time

Humans have these qualities of being very dexterous and being able to care directly to the patient and communicate and have compassion with them.

From Freakonomics

Waterproof and breathable, they’re as dexterous as many non-weather protective leather gloves, but they don’t get sweat saturated or soaked with precipitation.

From Outside Online

They’re thin and dexterous enough that you can buckle your ski boots or adjust straps on your backcountry ski pack, but packed with enough synthetic insulation that your hands won’t freeze while riding the lift.

From Outside Online

Cold temperature activities that require more dexterity would benefit from gloves, while less dexterous activities might consider mittens.

From Popular-Science

It is messy enough to be fork-food for all but the most dexterous eater.

From The Daily Beast

I am pretty dexterous with my left and can make it look I can do things productively for script and stuff.

From The Daily Beast

The man and his music were indissoluble—nimble, dexterous, heartfelt, and always down to earth.

From The Daily Beast

In all her camera-ready conversations, it is her dexterous intelligence that keeps it all carefully balanced.

From The Daily Beast

But he was so surprisingly dexterous with his lips, and feet too, when he was in his cabin that I suppose I put them down to that.

From Project Gutenberg

Allow me, Miss Duncombe, to give this in your name to this young lady, as thanks for her dexterous help.

From Project Gutenberg

Some are dexterous enough to catch the coin even before it touches the bottom.

From Project Gutenberg

The mountebanks and merry-andrews appeared more dexterous and more humorous.

From Project Gutenberg

The sapajous are very sagacious and dexterous: they go in companies, and mutually warn and assist each other.

From Project Gutenberg