Deft
/dɛft/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Deft describes someone who can do tasks easily and skillfully, often with their hands or body. It means being quick and sure when doing something, like handling tools, playing music, or solving problems.
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⚡ See It in Action
Skillful and quick in physical movement
- •The pianist’s deft fingers moved across the keys with ease.
- •She gave a deft cut with the scissors to open the package.
- •The chef showed deft handling of the delicate ingredients.
Skillful and clever in mental tasks or problem solving (less common)
- •His deft use of language impressed the audience.
- •The lawyer made a deft argument in court.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "deft" like "skillful," but faster and smoother—someone who does things with little effort and great control
- ✓Picture a person quickly tying a knot or playing the piano without mistakes
- ✓It's the feeling when you watch a craftsman work carefully and quickly at the same time
- ✓Sounds like "deft" → imagine a swift, light movement, like a bird deftly catching a small insect
- ✓Think of a magician who moves their hands quickly and perfectly to perform tricks
- ✓NOT like "clumsy" (awkward and slow), "deft" means smooth and careful action
- ✓NOT like "slow," "deft" shows speed with skill, not just fast but also precise
- ✓NOT like "strong," "deft" focuses on skill and control, not just power
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Skillful: good at doing something (Use when focusing on ability without emphasizing speed)
- •Nimble: quick and light in movement (Use when emphasizing quickness and lightness more than skill)
- •Clever: smart or quick in thinking (Use when referring to mental skill rather than physical)
- •Agile: able to move easily and quickly (Use when movement speed and flexibility are important)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) root word "deft"
- •Etymology: From Old English "gedæfte," meaning gentle, mild, or obedient
- •Historical development: Originally meant mild or gentle, but over time changed to mean skillful and quick in action
- •Modern usage: Used to describe someone who does things skillfully and quickly, especially with their hands or body
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when being deft helped you solve a problem quickly?
•How does being deft differ from just being fast or strong in a task?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The artist’s deft hands ___ the delicate brush strokes without hesitation.
2.To be deft, you need not only skill but also ___ and confidence.
3.Unlike clumsy workers, deft people handle tools with ___ and care.
4.The magician’s tricks were so deft that the audience could not ___ how they were done.
5.She moved with such deft ___ that no one noticed her approach.
6.A deft player can ___ the ball quickly while keeping control.
7.His argument was deftly made, showing ___ thinking and clear words.