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Glite Dictionary
dexterously

dexterously

1 6.7
To do something with the hands in a skilled way
  • adverb
  • /ˈdɛkstəˌrəsli/
translation icon : diestro
  • The chef dexterously sliced the vegetables with a sharp knife.
  • dexterously and slowly

Examples

  • The Giants dexterously handled the Tigers in a four-game sweep, dominating with pitching, defense, and timely hitting.

    Blog text (3)

  • Dexterously and slowly, I swung the globe from side to side, watching the dangling filament ends as they swayed now nearer, now farther apart.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Finally, he spotted a figure no larger than a point of light flying towards him slowly but dexterously.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Amanda worked on the launch sequence program, her manicured fingers tapping dexterously on the touchscreen.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • We found that all adult and juvenile gorillas in these mountain meadows dexterously follow this complex sequence of actions to remove or neutralize all the nettle's defenses.

    Academic text (1995)

  • In the above lines, al-Hajj dexterously interweaves the theme of love and longing with the theme of the inadequacy of words to accurately give voice to the speaker's emotions and sensations.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Very carefully, very dexterously for one whose hands looked to have all the grace of shovel blades, the goblin plucked the luminous strand free without disturbing either sleeper.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Their dark hands writhed like octopus tentacles, weaving dexterously through the carbuncled kidneys, the slick copper-colored liver lobes.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • With dexterously coordinated movements, the dancer captivated the audience during her performance.

  • He dexterously tied the fishing line to the hook, ensuring it was secure.

Synonyms

skillfully
vsdexterously
22 3.2

To do something very well because you have practice and control

is specifically about skilled use of hands or body rather than general expertise
deftly
vsdexterously
19 4.8

In a skillful, quick, and exact way

is about using hands or body with skill rather than speed
adroitly
vsdexterously
3 7.5

In a skillful and clever way

is focused more on bodily hand use rather than clever resourcefulness
proficiently
vsdexterously
2 5.1

To do something with skill and confidence

is narrower in stressing bodily or hand skill rather than general competence
dextrously
vsdexterously
7.2

To do something with skill and quick, careful hand movements

is the same in meaning but is an alternate adverb spelling

Antonyms

awkwardly
38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

clumsily
12 2.8

In an awkward way that shows little skill or control

How Skillful

masterfully
9 5.3
dexterously
1 6.7
skillfully
22 3.2
clumsily
12 2.8

Surface Forms

dexterously positive

Morphology

dexterously = dexterous (transparent) = dexterous + ly

Standard adverbial formation from the adjective 'dexterous' with the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

Dexterously comes from the Latin root dexter, which meant 'right' or 'on the right hand' and was linked with skill in using the hands. So dexterously means 'with skill', especially with the hands, and you can see the same root in ambidextrous, which says 'both right' to describe someone who uses both hands well.