dex|ter|ous

dex|ter|ous
dex|ter|ous «DEHKS tuhr uhs, -truhs», adjective.
1. having skill with the hands: »

A typist needs to be dexterous.

2. quick and skillful in bodily movements: »

a dexterous acrobat.

3. having or showing skill in using the mind; clever: »

A successful manager must be dexterous in handling people.

4. right-handed. Also, dextrous.
–dex´ter|ous|ly, adverb.
–dex´ter|ous|ness, noun.
Synonym Study 1, 2, 3 Dexterous, deft, adroit mean skillful in using the hands and body, or the mind. Dexterous suggests easy, quick, smooth movements and lightness and sureness of touch coming from practice: »

Mary is a dexterous pianist.

Deft adds to dexterous the idea of neatness and exceptional lightness and swiftness: »

A surgeon has to be deft.

Adroit adds to dexterous the idea of being quick-witted, and is used less often of physical skill than of mental quickness, resourcefulness, and cleverness in handling situations: »

The adroit stewardess kept the passengers on the plane cheerful during the storm.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dex´ter|ous|ly — dex|ter|ous «DEHKS tuhr uhs, truhs», adjective. 1. having skill with the hands: »A typist needs to be dexterous. 2. quick and skillful in bodily movements: »a dexterous acrobat. 3. having or showing skill in using the mind; clever: »A successful… …   Useful english dictionary

  • dex´ter|ous|ness — dex|ter|ous «DEHKS tuhr uhs, truhs», adjective. 1. having skill with the hands: »A typist needs to be dexterous. 2. quick and skillful in bodily movements: »a dexterous acrobat. 3. having or showing skill in using the mind; clever: »A successful… …   Useful english dictionary

  • dex·ter·ous — …   Useful english dictionary

  • dex — ach·roö·dex·trin; am·bi·dex·ter·i·ty; am·bi·dex·trous; am·y·lo·dex·trin; card in·dex; cau·dex; cel·lo·dex·trin; co·dex; dem·o·dex; dex·i·id; dex·i·idae; dex·io·trop·ic; dex·ter·i·ty; dex·ter·ous; dex·ter·ous·ly; dex·ter·ous·ness; dex·trad;… …   English syllables

  • ter — ter; ter·a·con·ic; ter·a·cryl·ic; ter·a·glin; ter·aph; ter·as; ter·a·tism; ter·a·to·genesis; ter·a·to·gen·ic; ter·a·to·log·i·cal; ter·a·tol·o·gist; ter·a·tol·o·gy; ter·a·to·ma; ter·a·to·sis; ter·bi·um; ter·centennial; ter·centesimal; ter·ce·ron;… …   English syllables

  • dexterous — dex·ter·ous …   English syllables

  • dexterously — dex·ter·ous·ly …   English syllables

  • dexterous — dex·ter·ous also dex·trous dek st(ə )rəs adj 1) skillful and competent with the hands 2) mentally adroit and skillful dex·ter·ous·ly adv dex·ter·ous·ness n …   Medical dictionary

  • dexterous — dex•ter•ous [[t]ˈdɛk strəs, stər əs[/t]] 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 • Etymology: 1595–1605; < L dexter right hand,… …   From formal English to slang

  • dexterous or dextrous — dex|ter|ous or dex|trous [ dekst(ə)rəs ] adjective able to use your hands skillfully …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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