deft
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “deft” mean?
adjective.neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages related to art, craftsmanship, or physical activities, highlighting a character's skillfulness and agility. It emphasizes not only proficiency but also a sense of grace and precision, distinguishing it from similar words like "skilled," which may lack the connotation of finesse and quickness.
Common Confusions
Deft implies a skillful and quick execution with grace, while skilled usually suggests a general proficiency that may lack the finesse and agility inherent in deft movements.
Do not choose deft if the context emphasizes clumsiness or slowness rather than neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
Example Sentences
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He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.