skilful - skilled - talented

◊ 'skilful'

Someone who is skilful at something does it very well.

...a skilful hunter.

The girl had grown more skilful with the sewing-machine.

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Skilful is spelled skillful in American English.

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◊ 'skilled'

You use skilled in front of a noun to describe someone who has been trained to do a particular kind of work and does it very well.

A skilled engineer takes four years to train.

...hand-made items produced by skilled craftsmen.

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You also use skilled in front of a noun to describe work that can only be done by a skilled person.

Wood turning is skilled work.

The safe removal of asbestos is a highly skilled job.

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◊ 'talented'

You use talented to describe someone who has a natural ability to do something.

...a talented writer.

...a beautiful and talented actress.

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You can also use talented to describe someone who is naturally good at doing several things.

...talented children.

The whole family was so talented.

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