Skillfully
adv.capable, thoughtfulprofessional
What it means
With developed ability and good judgment.
Reach for it when describing action performed with learned ability, control, and good judgment
The mediator skillfully guided both sides toward agreement.
Choose between these
9- warm
when quick controlled ease is visible
not when Deftly can imply clever handling rather than deep expertise.
- professional
competently
when work meets the required standard
not when Competently is measured praise and less admiring.
- professional
when exceptional specialized command is established
not when Use expertly only when the evidence exceeds ordinary skilled work.
- professional
proficiently
when measured competent performance matters
not when Proficiently is formal and less graceful.
- formal
when general competence is enough
not when Ably is cooler and weaker.
- formal
when physical agility and precision are central
not when Dexterously is awkward for judgment or communication.
- formal
when commanding excellence is truly demonstrated
not when Masterfully overstates ordinary skilled work.
- literary
adroitly
when clever physical or social handling suits elevated prose
not when Adroitly is rare and can imply manipulation.
- literary
artfully
when creative arrangement or subtle technique matters
not when Artfully can imply deception.
Said against
3- unskillfully
- clumsily
- ineptly
It naturally appears in
3- skillfully crafted
The joint was skillfully crafted from seasoned oak.
- skillfully handled
The mediator skillfully handled the unexpected accusation.
- skillfully combine
The design can skillfully combine repair access with weather protection.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adverb: in a skillful or proficient manner opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.