Adroit
adjective /əˈdrɔɪt/ — Clever and skillful, especially in using words or hands.
Definition
Cleverly or skilfully done — particularly the quality of handling a difficult situation or task with ease and intelligence. Adroit thinking, adroit negotiating, adroit movement: all share the quality of skilled ease.
Beyond the definition
Adroit is the compliment for the person who makes things look easy. The adroit debater finds the exact word; the adroit diplomat navigates the exact route; the adroit craftsman makes the exact thing. The skill is real; the ease is evidence of it.
Origin & history
French 'adroit' — from 'à droit' (to the right, righthand side). Literally 'right-handed' — since the right hand was traditionally associated with skill and dexterity.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was adroit in difficult conversations — never brutal, never dishonest, always finding the right path.
His adroit handling of the negotiations preserved the relationship while achieving the outcome.
Adroit is the word for skill that doesn't announce itself.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Adroit” when the meaning fits your context: Cleverly or skilfully done — particularly the quality of handling a difficult situation or task with ease and intelligence. Adroit thinking, adroit negotiating, adroit movement: all share the quality of skilled ease.
Synonyms
Antonyms
clumsy, inept, awkward
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Adroit" mean?
Adroit is adjective meaning: Clever and skillful, especially in using words or hands.. Cleverly or skilfully done — particularly the quality of handling a difficult situation or task with ease and intelligence. Adroit thinking, adroit negotiating, adroit movement: all share the quality of skilled ease.
Where does the word "Adroit" come from?
French 'adroit' — from 'à droit' (to the right, righthand side). Literally 'right-handed' — since the right hand was traditionally associated with skill and dexterity.