— skillfully , adv. — skillfulness , n.
/skil"feuhl/ , adj.
1. having or exercising skill: a skillful juggler.
2. showing or involving skill: a skillful display of fancy diving.
3. Obs. reasonable; rational.
Also, esp. Brit., skilful .
[ 1250-1300; ME; see SKILL 1 , -FUL ]
Syn. 1. ready, adroit, deft, adept, apt, clever, ingenious. SKILLFUL, SKILLED, EXPERT refer to readiness and adroitness in an occupation, craft, or art. SKILLFUL suggests esp. adroitness and dexterity: a skillful watchmaker. SKILLED implies having had long experience and thus having acquired a high degree of proficiency: not an amateur but a skilled worker. EXPERT means having the highest degree of proficiency; it may mean much the same as SKILLFUL or SKILLED, or both: expert workmanship. See also dexterous .
Ant. 1. awkward, clumsy, amateurish.