Dexterity — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /dek-ˈster-ə-tē/ dex·ter·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Dexterity

Dexterity (noun)

  1. readiness and grace in physical activity; especially, skill and ease in using the hands
  2. mental skill or quickness, adroitness

Dexterity (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. mental skill or quickness

    "the ambassador showed great dexterity in his handling of the touchy situation"

    similar: adroitness, cleverness, finesse, sleight
    related: ability, aptitude, capability, capacity, faculty, knack, prowess, talent, competence, competency, efficiency, expertise, know-how, proficiency, ingeniousness, ingenuity, resourcefulness, savvy, sharpness, shrewdness, artfulness, artifice, caginess, canniness, craft, craftiness, cunning, cunningness, deviousness, foxiness, guile, slickness, slyness, sneakiness, subtleness, wiliness
    near: inadequacy, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness, brainlessness, denseness, density, doltishness, dopiness, dullness, dumbness, fatuity, foolishness, mindlessness, obtuseness, senselessness, simpleness, slowness, stupidity, stupidness, witlessness

  2. ease and grace in physical activity

    "the juggler needed lots of dexterity in order to keep all five balls in the air at the same time"

    similar: agility, deftness, nimbleness, sleight, spryness
    related: coordination, flexibility, gracefulness, limberness, litheness, loose-jointedness, suppleness, handiness, sure-handedness, sure-footedness, adeptness, adroitness, finesse, prowess
    opposite: awkwardness, clumsiness, gaucheness, gawkiness, gawkishness, gracelessness, ham-handedness, heavy-handedness, klutziness, ungainliness
    near: disability, inability, incapability, incapacity, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation, unhandiness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dexterity

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dexterity:

adroitness, cleverness, finesse, sleight, agility, deftness, nimbleness, spryness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dexterity

Words with the opposite meaning of Dexterity:

awkwardness, clumsiness, gaucheness, gawkiness, gawkishness, gracelessness, ham-handedness, heavy-handedness, klutziness, ungainliness

Related Words for Dexterity

ability, aptitude, capability, capacity, faculty, knack, prowess, talent, competence, competency, efficiency, expertise, know-how, proficiency, ingeniousness, ingenuity, resourcefulness, savvy, sharpness, shrewdness, artfulness, artifice, caginess, canniness, craft, craftiness, cunning, cunningness, deviousness, foxiness

Near Antonyms of Dexterity

inadequacy, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness, brainlessness, denseness, density, doltishness, dopiness, dullness, dumbness, fatuity, foolishness, mindlessness, obtuseness, senselessness, simpleness, slowness, stupidity, stupidness, witlessness, disability, inability, incapability, incapacity, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

Word Forms of Dexterity

Inflections: dexterities

Origin & Etymology of Dexterity

Middle French or Latin; Middle French dexterité, from Latin dexteritat-, dexteritas, from dexter see dexterous

First known use: 1518

Frequently Asked Questions about Dexterity

What does "Dexterity" mean?

"Dexterity" means readiness and grace in physical activity; especially, skill and ease in using the hands. As a noun, it is defined as: readiness and grace in physical activity; especially, skill and ease in using the hands. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dexterity"?

Other words for "Dexterity" include adroitness, cleverness, finesse, sleight, agility, deftness, nimbleness and spryness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dexterity" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dexterity"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dexterity". Common alternatives include adroitness, cleverness, finesse, sleight, agility, deftness, nimbleness and spryness.

What is the opposite of "Dexterity"?

Antonyms of "Dexterity" include awkwardness, clumsiness, gaucheness, gawkiness, gawkishness, gracelessness, ham-handedness and heavy-handedness. Near antonyms include inadequacy, incompetence, incompetency and ineptitude.

How do you use "Dexterity" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dexterity" in a sentence: "the ambassador showed great dexterity in his handling of the touchy situation"; "the juggler needed lots of dexterity in order to keep all five balls in the air at the same time".

Is "Dexterity" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dexterity" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Dexterity"?

"Dexterity" is pronounced /dek-ˈster-ə-tē/ and divided into syllables as dex·ter·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Dexterity"?

"Dexterity" comes from Middle French or Latin; Middle French dexterité, from Latin dexteritat-, dexteritas, from dexter see dexterous. First known use: 1518.