dexterous
- also dextrous
adjective
Etymology: Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful
Date: 1609
1. mentally adroit and skillful ; clever <her dexterous handling of the crisis> 2. done with dexterity ; artful <a dexterous maneuver> 3. skillful and competent with the hands <a dexterous surgeon> • dexterously adverb • dexterousness noun Synonyms: 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 <>. deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Look at other dictionaries:
Dexterous — Dex ter*ous, a. [L. dexter. See {Dexter}.] [Written also {dextrous}.] 1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman. [1913 Webster] 2. Skillful in … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dexterous — dexterous, adroit, deft, handy mean having or showing readiness and skill in the use of one s hands, limbs, or body and may also imply physical or mental readiness or skill. Dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and agility in… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
dexterous — [deks′tər əs, deks′trəs] adj. [ DEXTER + OUS] 1. having or showing skill in the use of the hands or body 2. having or showing mental skill dexterously adv. dexterousness n. SYN. DEXTEROUS implies an expertness, natural or acquired, demonstrated… … English World dictionary
dexterous — index artful, competent, deft, diplomatic, efficient, expert, facile, familiar (informed) … Law dictionary
dexterous — c.1600, convenient, suitable, formed in English from L. dexter (see DEXTERITY (Cf. dexterity)) + OUS (Cf. ous). Meaning skillful, clever is from 1620s … Etymology dictionary
dexterous — UK / US or dextrous UK [ˈdekst(ə)rəs] / US adjective able to use your hands skilfully … English dictionary
dexterous — is preferable to dextrous. Both are pronounced dek strǝs … Modern English usage
dexterous — [adj] ingenious, proficient able, active, acute, adept, adroit, agile, apt, artful, canny, clever, crack*, crackerjack*, deft, effortless, expert, facile, handy, having the know how*, masterly, neat, nimble, nimblefingered, prompt, quick, savvy,… … New thesaurus
dexterous — (also dextrous) ► ADJECTIVE ▪ showing dexterity; adroit. DERIVATIVES dexterously adverb … English terms dictionary
dexterous — dexterously, adv. dexterousness, n. /dek streuhs, steuhr euhs/, adj. 1. skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body. 2. having mental adroitness or skill; clever. 3. done with skill or adroitness. 4. right handed. Also, dextrous. [1595… … Universalium
