skilled
Americanadjective
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having skill; trained or experienced in work that requires skill.
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showing, involving, or requiring skill, as certain work.
adjective
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possessing or demonstrating accomplishment, skill, or special training
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(prenominal) involving skill or special training
a skilled job
Synonym Usage
See skillful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of skilled
Explanation
Anyone skilled has special abilities. A skilled mechanic from the future might build a flying car. Then a skilled rapper can write a cool song about it. A skill is a well-earned talent, like being able to ride a bike, write a script, or spin a basketball on your finger. If you have skills, you're skilled! Congratulations. Being skilled in something usually requires practice. A skilled politician wins elections. A skilled hitter in baseball has a high batting average. A highly skilled job is one that requires special training. The opposite of skilled is unskilled, which would apply to someone without a particular talent.
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.
The findings support what many pianists have believed for decades, while also offering a clearer understanding of how skilled movement creates emotional and aesthetic experiences in music.
From Science Daily • May 28, 2026
The risk was real, but disaster was avoided because skilled people did the work.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
He made the same case on recent changes to U.S. visa policy, which would affect Indian skilled workers and students to the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
"The chemicals and ceramics industries underpin our economic resilience and support skilled jobs across the UK," said chancellor Rachel Reeves.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Some of these skilled observers—such as Hilali Matama, Yahaya Alamasi, Hamisi Mkono, and Eslom Mpongo—have been with us for years, since the late sixties.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
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.
