Dexterous
adjective /ˈdɛkstərəs/ — Skilled and nimble — equally in the hands and in the mind.
Definition
Showing or having skill, especially with the hands; mentally adroit and agile; able to navigate complex situations with ease and precision.
Beyond the definition
Dexterous carries a physical root but applies beautifully to thought — the person whose mind moves with the ease of skilled hands, turning problems over, finding the angle, never fumbling. Competence made graceful.
Origin & history
From Latin dexter — right-handed, skillful (the right hand was historically associated with skill and good fortune — the word 'sinister' comes from the Latin for left). Dexterity: the natural superiority attributed to the dominant hand.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her dexterous fingers worked the knot loose in seconds — a task that had defeated everyone else.
He was dexterous in negotiation — able to shift positions without anyone noticing the shift.
A dexterous mind moves between ideas the way a craftsman moves between tools: no wasted motion.
Synonyms
skillful, nimble, adroit, agile, adept, proficient
Antonyms
clumsy, awkward, inept, maladroit
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Violinist fingers in fast motion
Close-up of fingers dancing across violin strings, showing the slight tension and blurred motion of the hands.
The scene portrays physical skill and precise agility. The musician’s ability to control complex movements with such speed and mastery illustrates the dexterity required to achieve high-level performance.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration