adj.
Variant: also dex · trous
Pronunciation: ' dek-st( ə -)r ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful
Date: 1609
1 : mentally adroit and skillful : CLEVER <her dexterous handling of the crisis>
2 : done with dexterity : ARTFUL <a dexterous maneuver>
3 : skillful and competent with the hands <a dexterous surgeon>
– dex · ter · ous · ly adverb
– dex · ter · ous · ness noun
synonyms DEXTEROUS , ADROIT , DEFT mean ready and skilled in physical movement. DEXTEROUS implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation <unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss>. ADROIT implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness <the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause>. DEFT emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.