: characterized by facility and skill
the photographer's deft use of lighting
the deft fingers of the trumpeter
deftly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of deft in a Sentence
The photographer is known for her deft use of lighting.
a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over
Recent Examples on the Web
What may sound like a verbose exercise is made vibrant by King’s deft direction.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 22 June 2024
The carving is very skilled, according to the release, as the folds of the cloak and the shaping of the warrior’s muscles and his long hair suggest a deft carver.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2024
This thin-skinned varietal is known for being a diva in the vineyard, requiring a seasoned winemaker’s deft hand to transform it into fine wine.
—Johnny Noakes, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2024
Linklater approaches Bernie with a perfectly deft bemusement over an absurd situation, ingeniously rendering the townspeople as a Greek chorus of talking heads and handing the rest over to Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, who share a frisky comic energy.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deft 
Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 22 June 2024
The carving is very skilled, according to the release, as the folds of the cloak and the shaping of the warrior’s muscles and his long hair suggest a deft carver.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2024
This thin-skinned varietal is known for being a diva in the vineyard, requiring a seasoned winemaker’s deft hand to transform it into fine wine.
—Johnny Noakes, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2024
Linklater approaches Bernie with a perfectly deft bemusement over an absurd situation, ingeniously rendering the townspeople as a Greek chorus of talking heads and handing the rest over to Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, who share a frisky comic energy.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deft
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deft
Cite this Entry
“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deft. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deft
adjective
: quick and skillful in action
knitting with deft fingers
deftly
adverb
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