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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024dex•ter•ous /ˈdɛkstrəs, -stərəs/USA pronunciation adj. - skillful or nimble in the use of the hands, body, or mind.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024dex•ter•ous (dek′strəs, -stər əs),USA pronunciation adj. - skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body.
- having mental adroitness or skill;
clever. - done with skill or adroitness.
- right-handed.
Also, dextrous. - Latin dexter right-hand, skillful + -ous
- 1595–1605
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged deft, nimble, handy.
- 1, 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged expert, apt, able, quick. Dexterous, adroit, deft, skillful, handy all imply facility and ease in performance. Dexterous and adroit both referred originally to right-handedness. Dexterous is still most often used to refer to manual or physical ability but can also refer to mental or social agility:a dexterous wood carver; dexterous management of a potentially embarrassing situation.Adroit implies cleverness or mental acuity, occasionally complex physical skill:an adroit politician; an adroit juggler.Deft suggests a light and assured touch, either physical or mental:deft manipulation of the sensitive controls, of public opinion.Skillful is the most general of these synonyms and can be substituted in most contexts for any of the foregoing, sacrificing only the overtones or connotations of each:a skillful performer.Handy applies mainly to physical skill, often achieved without formal training:handy with tools.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged clumsy.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged inept.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged awkward.
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