Skilled

adj. capable, thoughtful professional

What it means

Possessing developed ability gained through practice, learning, or experience.

Reach for it when describing a person whose demonstrated competence fits a task or field

A skilled interpreter preserved both the legal detail and the speaker's warmth.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
professional
formal
  • everyday

    capable

    Fits when the person can handle the work effectively

    Careful Capability may be potential; skilled points to developed ability.

  • professional

    competent

    Fits when meeting the required standard is the precise claim

    Careful It sounds like minimum adequacy and may underpraise excellent skill.

  • professional

    experienced

    Fits when time and exposure are what the resume can verify

    Careful Long experience may coexist with weak technique.

  • professional

    expert

    Fits when unusually deep knowledge or mastery is supportable

    Careful Do not promote ordinary competence to expert status without evidence.

  • professional

    proficient

    Fits when a defined task is performed to a solid standard

    Careful Proficient need not imply the breadth or fluency suggested by skilled.

  • professional

    trained

    Fits when formal preparation or instruction is the relevant fact

    Careful Training alone leaves actual skill performance unproven.

  • formal

    accomplished

    Fits when high skill is backed by recognized achievement

    Careful It carries a stronger career claim than skilled.

  • formal

    adept

    Fits when ease and quick competence in a specific activity stand out

    Careful Its praise is narrower and slightly stronger than neutral skilled.

Opposites 3

  • unskilled
  • incompetent
  • inexperienced

Common phrases 3

  • skilled worker

    The skilled worker aligned the old stone without removing its tool marks.

  • highly skilled

    Nadia is highly skilled at translating technical findings for families.

  • skilled professional

    A skilled professional checked the moisture source before replacing the plaster.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated