Talented

adj.capableeveryday

What it means

Possessing a notably strong ability in a particular activity.

Reach for it when giving broad praise for a person's developed or natural ability

The talented illustrator made a complex safety process understandable at a glance.

everyday
capable
when reliable competence is enough and exaggeration would distract
not when Capable undersells rare or remarkable ability.
warm
gifted
when exceptional natural aptitude is the intended compliment
not when Gifted can minimize the effort and practice behind the achievement.
warm
promising
when future potential matters more than current mastery
not when Promising does not say the person already performs at a high level.
professional
adept
when quick, fluent handling of a defined task stands out
not when Adept is narrower and less celebratory than praise for wide creative ability.
professional
expert
when deep knowledge and authoritative practice can be demonstrated
not when Expert is a credential-like claim, not a casual substitute for general ability.
professional
skilled
when proven ability from training or practice is clear
not when Skilled is safer than talented when no claim about unusual aptitude is warranted.
formal
accomplished
when a record of finished work supports the praise
not when Accomplished is premature for someone promising who has not yet built a body of work.
literary
virtuosic
when technical mastery in an art is extraordinary
not when Virtuosic is inflated for solid everyday competence or non-artistic reliability.

talented artist
The talented artist turned children's sketches into a joyful public mural.
talented team
A talented team can still improve when its members invite honest critique.
highly talented
The highly talented apprentice also showed patience with every beginner.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.