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. 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

More potently than the words — though they serve as a helpful compass — it’s the body that communicates these ideas, through Coulibaly’s dexterous merging of traditional African and contemporary dance forms.

From New York Times

The dash through central Paris celebrated the dexterous and, yes, by their own admittance, sometimes famously moody men and women without whom France wouldn’t be France.

From Seattle Times

Newsome then updated the humanoid’s face to appear more human — in addition to their redesigned, dexterous hands for signing.

From Los Angeles Times

"Most musical instruments require two hands and ten very dexterous fingers to play," he told the Access All podcast.

From BBC

Martin is a keen scholar of craft; he’s studied many artists and steeped himself in different musical techniques, each of which he’s distilled into a uniquely dexterous style.

From Los Angeles Times