Vocabulary Spotlight

Deft

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Demonstrating skill, precision, or agility in movement or action.

“The artist’s deft brushstrokes brought the portrait to life.”

Pronunciation

[deft]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Skillful
Adroit
Nimble
Quick
Dexterous

Antonyms

Clumsy
Inept
Awkward
Unskilled
Inexpert

Related Words

Deftly (adverb)
Deftness (noun)
Adept (adjective)

Word Origin

“Deft” originates from the Middle English “daft,” meaning gentle or well-mannered, later evolving to denote skill or agility.

Word Family

Noun: Deftness – The quality of being skillful or nimble.

Adverb: Deftly – Done with skill or agility.

Mnemonics

Think “deft” as “draft” – drawing or acting with precision and skill.

Industry-specific Usage

Art

In art, a deft touch refers to the skillful and precise movements that bring works to life.

Sports

A deft player is one who moves skillfully and with agility, often impressing spectators.

Technology

Deft programming skills involve writing code with precision, efficiency, and creativity.

In Context

“Deft” is used to describe actions that require skill, quickness, or precision, and is commonly seen in discussions of sports, art, or crafts.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which is a synonym of “Deft”?

Skillful
Clumsy
Inept
Awkward

‘Skillful’ is correct as it describes a high level of ability or talent, similar to deft.

2. Fill in the blank: She completed the delicate task with a _______ touch that impressed everyone.

clumsy
inept
deft
awkward

‘Deft’ is correct, as it refers to doing something with skill and precision.

3. In which field would a “deft” approach be highly valued?

Banking
Agriculture
Law
Art

‘Art’ is correct, as it requires skillful, precise movements often referred to as deft.