deft
pronunciation
How to pronounce deft in British English:
UK [deft]
How to pronounce deft in American English:
US [deft]
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- Adjective:
- quick and skillful in movement
- skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
Word Origin
- deft (adj.)
- Old English gedæfte "mild, gentle," differentiated in Middle English into daft (q.v.) and this word, via sense of "apt, skillful, adept." Cognate with Gothic gadaban "to be fit," Old Norse dafna "to grow strong," Dutch deftig "important, relevant."
Antonym
Example
- 1. Plan b will require deft technical management and political courage .
- 2. His plastic hand is deft enough to grasp a wide variety of objects without damaging them .
- 3. With a deft hand , such differences could probably be managed .
- 4. Mr kouchner 's appointment is more than just a deft political gesture .
- 5. With some deft financial maneuvers , these businesses essentially went public while sidestepping the usual rules .