Dexterity
What it means
Controlled skill and ease in using the hands or mind.
Reach for it when praising coordinated handling of fine, quick, or complex work
The puppeteer's dexterity gave each wooden bird a distinct motion.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when learned ability is the broad quality being praised
Careful Skill may rely on strength or knowledge rather than agile coordination.
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warm
Fits when light, efficient mastery is visible in one action
Careful Deftness is less technical and may not describe sustained coordination.
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professional
Fits when rapid changes of position or thought matter most
Careful Agility prizes speed and does not guarantee fine control.
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professional
coordination
Fits when body parts or actions work accurately together
Careful Coordination can be adequate without reaching the high skill of dexterity.
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formal
adroitness
Fits when clever, smooth management of difficulty deserves emphasis
Careful The uncommon word can obscure a straightforward compliment.
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literary
Fits when subtle control and polish make the result effective
Careful Finesse may concern diplomacy or style rather than hand or mental facility.
Opposites 3
- clumsiness
- awkwardness
- incoordination
Common phrases 3
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manual dexterity
Repairing the tiny mechanism requires excellent manual dexterity.
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mental dexterity
Her mental dexterity made the rapid strategy game look easy.
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remarkable dexterity
The glassblower shaped the narrow stem with remarkable dexterity.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: EncycloPetey, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated