skillful

adjective

skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl How to pronounce skillful (audio)
1
: possessed of or displaying skill : expert
a skillful chef
2
: accomplished with skill
a skillful treatment
skillfully adverb
skillfulness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for skillful

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession.

proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of skillful in a Sentence

He is skillful at diplomacy. an artist skillful in the use of color the skillful manner in which the doctor and nurses treated the patient These issues require skillful handling.
Recent Examples on the Web Editors’ Picks After the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine managed to keep Russia from controlling the skies through air combat and the skillful use of antiaircraft missiles. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 In our diverse world, fusion cuisine is prevalent, offering delightful blends when executed with skillful balance. Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 However, in a turbulent economy and uncertainty in the markets, maintaining growth requires skillful strategy and thoughtful implementation. David Stubblefield, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 The slogan Save Our Children (there is also a nonprofit called Save Our Children that has been unfairly swept up in this craziness) has now become Leave Our Kids Alone — a skillful political feint that puts fear over reality. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 His message, and his skillful use of social media, inspired many young Pakistanis. Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024 Along the Washington Street corridor, improv artists and dancers will show off their skillful moves on stage and via video artwork. The Indianapolis Star, 17 Jan. 2024 Special credit goes to oboist Margaret Owens and bassoonist Anna Marsh for pulling double-duty with sprightly, skillful recorder playing. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 In this action comedy, Alan Binder is a skillful hostage negotiator – the best in Mexico – who will face the most crucial case of his career when the President and his lover are kidnapped. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skillful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skillful was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near skillful

Cite this Entry

“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skillful. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skillful

adjective
skill·​ful ˈskil-fəl How to pronounce skillful (audio)
1
: having or showing skill
2
: accomplished with skill
a skillful defense
skillfully adverb
skillfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on skillful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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