dex·ter·ous

(dĕk′stər-əs, -strəs) also dex·trous (-strəs)

adj.

1. Skillful in the use of the hands.

2. Having mental skill or adroitness.

3. Done with dexterity: a dexterous maneuver.

[From Latin dexter, skillful; see dexter.]

dex′ter·ous·ly adv.

dex′ter·ous·ness n.

Synonyms: dexterous, deft, adroit, handy, nimble
These adjectives refer to skill and ease in performance. Dexterous implies physical or mental agility: dexterous fingers; a dexterous debater.
Deft suggests quickness, sureness, neatness, and lightness of touch: deft strokes; a deft turn of phrase.
Adroit implies ease and natural skill, especially in challenging situations: an adroit skier; an adroit negotiator.
Handy suggests a more modest aptitude, principally in manual work: handy with tools.
Nimble stresses quickness and lightness in physical or mental performance: nimble feet; nimble wits.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dexterous

(ˈdɛkstrəs) or

dextrous

adj

1. possessing or done with dexterity

2. a rare word for right-handed

ˈdexterously, ˈdextrously adv

ˈdexterousness, ˈdextrousness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dex•ter•ous

(ˈdɛk strəs, -stər əs)

adj.

1. skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body; deft.

2. having mental adroitness or skill; clever; quick.

3. done with skill or adroitness.

[1595–1605; < Latin dexter right-hand, skillful + -ous]

dex′ter•ous•ly, adv.

dex′ter•ous•ness, n.

syn: dexterous, adroit, deft imply facility and ease in performance. dexterous most often refers to physical, esp. manual, ability but can also refer to mental ability: a dexterous woodcarver; dexterous handling of a delicate situation. adroit usu. implies mental cleverness and ingenuity but can refer to physical ability: an adroit politician; an adroit juggler. deft suggests a light and assured touch in physical or mental activity: a deft waitress; deft manipulation of public opinion.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

dexterous - skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands; "a deft waiter"; "deft fingers massaged her face"; "dexterous of hand and inventive of mind"

deft, dextrous

adroit - quick or skillful or adept in action or thought; "an exceptionally adroit pianist"; "an adroit technician"; "his adroit replies to hecklers won him many followers"; "an adroit negotiator"

dexterous

dextrous

adjective

1. skilful, able, expert, quick, masterly, active, neat, handy, apt, ingenious, adept, deft, nimble, proficient, agile, adroit, nimble-fingered As people grow older they generally become less dexterous.

2. able, skilled, expert, masterly, clever, practised, accomplished, versed, skilful, adept, masterful, proficient, adroit, tasty (Brit. informal) the composer's dextrous manipulation of pauses and silence

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

dexterous

adjective

1. Exhibiting or possessing skill and ease in performance:

adroit, clever, deft, facile, handy, nimble, slick.

2. Showing art or skill in performing or doing:

adroit, artful, deft, skillful.

Translations

zručný

επιδέξιος

jänteväkäsistäkäteväketterätaitava

lesto sveglio

dexterous

ADJ dextrous [ˈdekstrəs] ADJ → diestro, hábil
by the dexterous use of → por el diestro uso de

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

dexterous

dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs] adj → adroit(e)

dexterous

, dextrous

adj → geschickt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

dexterous

dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs] adj (skilful) → destro/a, abile; (movement) → agile