deft
adjective
Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements; demonstrating skill and cleverness.
Etymology
From Middle English deft, variant of daft "gentle, meek," from Old English gedæfte "mild, gentle."
Examples in Use
- 1.
"With a few deft strokes, she completed the portrait."
- 2.
"The negotiator made a deft move that satisfied both parties."
- 3.
"His deft handling of the crisis impressed his colleagues."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Deft and daft were once the same word meaning "gentle" or "meek." They diverged over centuries: deft came to mean "skillfully gentle" while daft shifted to "silly" (perhaps originally "simple" or "mild-mannered").
Word Game Tips
Letters: 4 letters (D, E, F, T)
Scrabble Value: 8 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "DE" at the start of words.
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