Deft: meaning, definitions and examples
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deft
[ dɛft ]
skillful ability
Deft refers to being skilled and quick in one's movements or actions. It describes a person's ability to handle tasks with precision and ease, often used to emphasize agility or dexterity in a particular area.
Synonyms
adept, dexterous, nimble, skillful.
Examples of usage
- She made a deft maneuver to avoid the obstacle.
- The artist was deft with her brush strokes.
- He gave a deft reply during the debate.
Translations
Translations of the word "deft" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ágil
- hábil
- destro
🇮🇳 चतुर
- कुशल
- तेज़
🇩🇪 geschickt
- flink
- gewandt
🇮🇩 cekatan
- mahir
- terampil
🇺🇦 спритний
- вправний
- майстерний
🇵🇱 zręczny
- sprawny
- biegły
🇯🇵 器用な
- 巧妙な
- 手際の良い
🇫🇷 habile
- agile
- adroit
🇪🇸 ágil
- hábil
- diestro
🇹🇷 çevik
- yetenekli
- usta
🇰🇷 능숙한
- 재빠른
- 숙련된
🇸🇦 ماهر
- بارع
- سريع
🇨🇿 zručný
- pohotový
- šikovný
🇸🇰 šikovný
- zručný
- obratný
🇨🇳 灵巧的
- 熟练的
- 敏捷的
🇸🇮 spretno
- vešč
- hitro
🇮🇸 færni
- snjall
- lipur
🇰🇿 шебер
- епті
- жылдам
🇬🇪 სწრაფი
- ხელოვნური
- უნარიანი
🇦🇿 bacarıqlı
- çevik
- ustalıq
🇲🇽 ágil
- hábil
- diestro
Etymology
The word 'deft' originates from the Middle English term 'deft', which meant 'able, apt, dexterous'. It is derived from the Old English word 'deof', meaning 'suitable' or 'prepared'. The evolution of the term reflects a shift from its original meaning to its current connotation of skillfulness and grace in actions. Over time, 'deft' has retained its association with agility and proficiency in physical or mental tasks, making it a popular descriptor in both everyday language and more formal contexts. The term gained prominence in literature and art, often used to portray an individual's finesse in executing tasks.