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deft

adjective
\ ˈdeft How to pronounce deft (audio) \

Definition of deft

: characterized by facility and skill the photographer's deft use of lighting the deft fingers of the trumpeter
Other Words from deft Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deft

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Other Words from deft

deftly adverb
deftness \ ˈdef(t)-​nÉ™s How to pronounce deftness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for deft

dexterous, adroit, deft mean ready and skilled in physical movement. dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation. unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness. the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling. a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

Examples of deft in a Sentence

The photographer is known for her deft use of lighting. a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

Recent Examples on the Web

 Die Eisernen worked the ball forward as Sheraldo Becker crossed it into the box, and Andersson's deft touch guided the ball home to wrap up the win for Union Berlin. — SI.com, "Union Berlin 3-1 Borussia Dortmund: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Union Secure First Bundesliga Win," 31 Aug. 2019 Also wields a deft touch that helped placate the mood of U.S. President Donald Trump. — Washington Post, "Macron’s G-7 performance arms him for likely troubles ahead," 28 Aug. 2019 The Huskies are particularly intriguing given Chris Petersen’s deft touch and the eligibility of former Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason. — Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, "Pac-12 preseason power rankings: Washington and Oregon provide hope for national respect," 13 Aug. 2019 The brunch, with its guacamole toast and deft kale-corn chilaquiles, has already emerged as one of our favorites of 2019. — Michael Russell, oregonlive.com, "La Neta, modern Mexican restaurant at Chinatown’s Hoxton Hotel, to close, change concepts," 14 Aug. 2019 The writing by the director and co-scribe Thayná Mantesso is deft and pithy, and there’s a rawness of spirit in both the stellar central performance and the film’s social realist aesthetic. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Socrates’ reveals the struggle of a gay teen in the slums of Brazil," 8 Aug. 2019 Outside, a deft arrangement of stone wall, outdoor bar (made from a converted shipping container), umbrellas and plantings shields patio diners from the rush of traffic. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, "Review: Down-home BBQ gets upscale at Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington," 1 Aug. 2019 In this deft collection that covers everything from internet addictions to women’s empowerment to reality TV, all roads lead to capitalism. — David Canfield, EW.com, "The millennial scammer is alive and well in these fascinating new books," 24 July 2019 Headliner Ella Mai showed deft control over the crowd with her smooth R&B, and was the third non-male performer of the day behind DJs Cut-Cuz and King Marie. — Jessi Roti, chicagotribune.com, "ComplexCon debuts in Chicago, and it’s a hypebeast’s world at McCormick Place," 21 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deft

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for deft

perhaps continuing Middle English daffte, daft, defte "well-mannered, gentle, dull, foolish" — more at daft

Note: Rather than being derived directly from Middle English, Modern English deft may go back to an unattested Old English *gedefte (with umlaut), with a meaning "fit, ready" developing to "apt, skilfull"; the sense shift is otherwise difficult to account for, though the lack of any certain attestation of deft in the sense "skillful" before the later 16th century makes this scenario hypothetical.

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More Definitions for deft

deft

adjective
How to pronounce deft (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deft

: skillful and clever
: able to do something quickly and accurately

See the full definition for deft in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deft

adjective
\ ˈdeft How to pronounce deft (audio) \
defter; deftest

Kids Definition of deft

: quick and skillful in action He cut hair with deft fingers.

Other Words from deft

deftly adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on deft

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with deft

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deft

Spanish Central: Translation of deft

Nglish: Translation of deft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of deft for Arabic Speakers

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