deftness
1
5.1
- noun
- /ˈdɛftnəs/
:
destreza
- The artist displayed remarkable deftness when sculpting the intricate details of the statue.
Examples
-
She eased the sleeve over the stump with a deftness that earned her cheek a kiss, which she accepted wearily.
Fiction book (2000) -
The Wankhman, somewhat grudgingly, brought forth a small keyed instrument which he manipulated with astonishing deftness.
Fiction book (1993) -
The surgeon was able to complete each step of the complex operation with a deftness and precision that were previously impossible.
Academic text (1998) -
The effect is worst on the short game because of the deftness of touch required and the narrower margin of error.
Blog text (13) -
Temple noticed, too, how frequently her mother paused in her knitting, her fingers no longer moving with their former deftness or speed.
Fiction book (1994) -
Yet the ground rules of all such systems depend in turn upon the wisdom, steadfastness, and deftness of the policymakers who determine how they operate.
Academic text (2002) -
Curtis observes the deftness of her fingers as she carves close to the bone, as she subjects the thing to her anger.
Fiction book (1999) -
A man in a pink shirt stooped over its tin spout, cup tipped almost horizontal, manipulating the hose with a deftness familiar to Decetes.
Fiction book (2002) -
He knew he'd handled himself with customary deftness, tiptoeing down the chalk lines with the delicacy of Nijinsky.
Fiction book (1999) -
Her deftness in sewing allowed her to create beautiful garments in no time.
Synonyms
25
4.2
An ability to do something easily and well
16
5.3
Skill and ease when using the hands or body
1
7.5
Ability to do things quickly and well
1
5.6
A high level of skill at doing something
Antonyms
How Skillful
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word deftness comes from the short adjective deft, which came from an old English word meaning 'gentle' and later shifted to mean 'skillful'. So, deftness is the quick, easy skill someone shows, especially with the hands.