Dexterous Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdɛkstrəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Skilfully or ably handed or manipulated; having skill or facility in the use of hands or fingers.

Examples

• She was a dexterous cook who could prepare a meal in under an hour.
• The boy was so dexterous with his hands that he was able to assemble the toy in just a few minutes.
• The team worked together with dexterity to finish the project on time.
• The musician’s dexterous fingers moved deftly over the piano keys.
• The athlete was praised for his dexterity on the field, able to catch and throw with precision.

Synonyms

• Skillful
• Able

Antonyms

• Cumbersome
• Clumsy
• Fumbling

Etymology

The word dexterous comes from the Latin word “dexter,” meaning “right” or “skillful,” and the suffix “-ous,” forming an adjective.

Usage Notes

Dexterous is often used to describe someone’s ability to perform a task with ease and precision, whether it be a physical action or a mental task.

Cultural References

The term “dexterous” has been used in various contexts in popular culture, including literature, film, and television. For example, Sherlock Holmes is often described as dexterous in his use of his hands and fingers.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

a dexterous move

Related Words or Phrases

• Skillful
• Able-bodied
• Handy

Collocations

• a dexterous touch
• dexterous fingers
• a dexterous move

Frequency of Use

The word dexterous is relatively uncommon in everyday language, but it is often used in formal or technical contexts to describe someone’s manual dexterity.

Common Misspellings

• Dexterousy
• Dexterius