Dictionary

deft en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /dɛft/ (UK, US)
• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English defte, daft (“gentle”), from Old English dæfte (“mild, gentle, meek”), from Proto-West Germanic *daftī (“fitting, suitable”), derived from *dabaną (“to be suitable”). Near cognates include Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐍉𐍆𐍃 (gadōfs, “suitable”), West Frisian deftich (“distinguished”), Dutch deftig (“distinguished”), German deftig (“coarse”). Further cognates include Russian добро (dobro, “wealth, good”) and Latin faber (“craftsman; skillful”). Doublet of daft.

Meanings

1. Quick and neat in action; skillful.
   • Alvarez then got on the scoresheet after the hosts carved open the Huddersfield defence with some intricate passing before the Argentina forward's deft finish rolled into the net. 2024 January 7, Gary Rose, “Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town”, in BBC Sport:
   • He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.

Forms

Deriveds

deftly · deftness · defthanded · undeft · deft-handed

Relateds

daft

Translations (54)

pt hábil (skillful) · uk вправний (skillful) · mi mārehe (skillful) · te నేర్పు (skillful) · nl handig (skillful) · es hábil (skillful) · crh çeber (skillful) · te చాకచక్యము (skillful) · cs obratný (skillful) · bg ло́вък (skillful) · pt habilidoso (skillful) · pl zręczny (skillful) · es diestro (skillful) · uk спритний (skillful) · sv händig (skillful) · fa چابک (skillful) · ka მკვირცხლი (skillful) · cs hbitý (skillful) · ru ло́вкий (skillful) · eo lerta (skillful) · mi raka (skillful) · it solerte (skillful) · fi näppärä (skillful) · fr compétent (skillful) · ru мастерский (skillful) · ceb maabilidad (skillful) · ka გაწაფული (skillful) · ka დახელოვნებული (skillful) · fi taitava (skillful) · fr habile (skillful) · mi ringarehe (skillful) · ka მარჯვე (skillful) · scn àbbili (skillful) · gl hábil (skillful) · mi mākohakoha (skillful) · sv kvick (skillful) · sv flink (skillful) · sh spretan (skillful) · ru искусный (skillful) · sv skicklig (skillful) · it abile (skillful) · la dexter (skillful) · ka ოსტატური (skillful) · mi rehe (skillful) · de geschickt (skillful) · ka მოხერხებული (skillful) · lv veikls (skillful) · sk zručný (skillful) · bg сръчен (skillful) · mi haratau (skillful) · bg изкусен (skillful) · fr adroit (skillful) · ka მარდი (skillful) · cs šikovný (skillful)