Dexterity Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 5, 2024
Dexterity is skill and ease in using the hands or body, often showing quick and precise movements. e.g., The magician’s dexterity amazed the audience with his card tricks.
Table of Contents
Dexterity Definitions
Agility: Agility, a form of dexterity, is quickness and lightness of movement.
The gymnast’s agility and dexterity earned her a gold medal.
Mental Agility: Dexterity can also imply mental skill or quickness in thinking.
The chess player’s mental dexterity was apparent in his strategic moves.
Fine Motor Skills: Dexterity involves fine motor skills, essential for delicate tasks.
Assembling model airplanes requires great dexterity.
Technological Skill: Dexterity in using technology implies adeptness with digital tools or software.
His dexterity with coding software streamlined the development process.
Physical Skill: Dexterity refers to the ability to perform tasks skillfully with the hands.
Her dexterity with the paintbrush resulted in beautiful artwork.
Adaptability: Dexterity includes the ability to adapt physical actions to new tasks.
Her dexterity in learning new sports was remarkable.
Coordination: Dexterity denotes coordination and smoothness in physical movements.
His dexterity in the kitchen made him an excellent chef.
Musical Ability: In music, dexterity refers to skill in playing instruments.
The pianist's dexterity was evident in her rapid finger movements.
Skill and grace in physical movement, especially in the use of the hands; adroitness.
Mental skill or adroitness; cleverness.
Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands.
Playing computer games can improve your manual dexterity.
She twirled the pencil through her fingers with impressive dexterity.
Right-handedness.
Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as, dexterity with the chisel.
In youth quick bearing and dexterity.
Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or difficult affair; adroitness.
His wisdom . . . was turned . . . into a dexterity to deliver himself.
He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and dexterity.
Adroitness in using the hands
Craftsmanship: Dexterity is critical in craftsmanship for creating or repairing with skill.
The jeweler's dexterity allowed him to craft intricate designs.
Precision: Dexterity entails precision and accuracy in physical execution.
The surgeon's dexterity saved lives through precise operations.
Dexterity Snonyms
Agility
Ability to move quickly and easily.
The gymnast's agility was impressive.
Finesse
Intricate and refined delicacy.
He handled the situation with great finesse.
Skillfulness
Possessing or demonstrating skill.
Her skillfulness with a paintbrush is amazing.
Proficiency
A high degree of competence or skill.
His proficiency in chess is well-known.
Handiness
Convenient to handle or use; useful.
The handiness of the tool made the job much easier.
Nimbleness
Quick and light in movement or action.
Her nimbleness on the dance floor was captivating.
Sleight
Dexterity or cunning, especially so as to deceive.
The magician's sleight of hand was mesmerizing.
Craftsmanship
Skill in a particular craft.
The furniture's craftsmanship was of the highest quality.
Adroitness
Cleverness or skill in using the hands or mind.
His adroitness in negotiations saved the deal.
Adeptness
Very skilled or proficient at something.
His adeptness at solving puzzles was unmatched.
Dexterity Idioms & Phrases
Dexterity with words
The ability to use language effectively and persuasively.
The author's dexterity with words was evident in her compelling and beautifully crafted novel.
Dexterity in management
The ability to manage tasks, people, or situations effectively.
Her dexterity in management was recognized when she effortlessly coordinated the international conference.
Mental dexterity
The ability to think quickly and effectively.
Solving puzzles requires not just patience but a significant level of mental dexterity.
Dexterity in problem-solving
Skillfulness and efficiency in finding solutions to problems.
Her dexterity in problem-solving made her an invaluable member of the crisis management team.
Manual dexterity
Skill in using one's hands to perform tasks.
Surgeons require exceptional manual dexterity to perform delicate operations.
Show of dexterity
Demonstrating impressive skill or agility, especially with the hands.
The magician's show of dexterity left the audience in awe as he effortlessly performed complex card tricks.
Dexterity in multitasking
The ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with skill.
Juggling work and study requires a high level of dexterity in multitasking.
Dexterity in diplomacy
Skill in handling affairs without causing offense.
The ambassador's dexterity in diplomacy helped soothe the tensions between the two countries.
Digital dexterity
Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms.
Today's workforce needs digital dexterity to navigate various software and online platforms efficiently.
Dexterity in communication
The skill of expressing ideas clearly and effectively.
A teacher's dexterity in communication is vital for student understanding and engagement.
Physical dexterity
The ability to move the body with skill and grace.
Athletes display physical dexterity in their sports, combining strength with precision and coordination.
Dexterity in negotiations
Skill and ease in negotiating agreements or deals.
His dexterity in negotiations ensured the company always secured favorable terms.
Artistic dexterity
Exceptional skill or ability in creating art.
The painter's artistic dexterity is apparent in the intricate details of his landscapes.
Financial dexterity
Skill in managing financial resources effectively.
His financial dexterity turned a struggling business into a profitable venture.
Dexterity in craftsmanship
Exceptional skill in creating things by hand.
The artisan's dexterity in craftsmanship is evident in the exquisite handmade jewelry.
Dexterity in innovation
The ability to come up with creative and effective new ideas.
The startup's success was largely due to its founders' dexterity in innovation.
Dexterity in strategy
The ability to plan effectively for long-term success.
Their dexterity in strategy ensured the company's growth even in uncertain times.
Dexterity in decision-making
The skill to make good decisions quickly.
Effective leadership demands dexterity in decision-making, especially under pressure.
Dexterity in learning
The ability to learn new skills or knowledge quickly and efficiently.
Children often show remarkable dexterity in learning new languages.
Dexterity in adaptation
The ability to adjust quickly and effectively to new situations.
The team's dexterity in adaptation was crucial to thriving in the rapidly changing market.
Dexterity Example Sentences
Learning to knit well requires a lot of dexterity.
The artist's dexterity with a brush is truly impressive.
The mechanic’s dexterity allowed him to fix complex engines.
His dexterity in video games made him a formidable opponent.
Piano lessons can significantly improve your finger dexterity.
She showed incredible dexterity in solving complex math problems.
Crafting small figurines requires patience and dexterity.
The tailor's dexterity was visible in every stitch of the dress.
Her dexterity with languages helped her become a successful translator.
A magician relies on dexterity to perform sleight-of-hand tricks.
The woodworker's dexterity turned a piece of wood into art.
The child's dexterity with puzzles surprised everyone.
Her dexterity in writing and drawing was encouraged from a young age.
He demonstrated his dexterity by juggling five balls at once.
To play the guitar well, one must develop hand dexterity.
Common Curiosities
How is dexterity used in a sentence?
"The surgeon's dexterity with the instruments was impressive."
What is a stressed syllable in dexterity?
The second syllable, "ter," is the stressed syllable in dexterity.
Why is it called dexterity?
It is called dexterity because it describes skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands, originating from the Latin "dexteritas," meaning skillfulness, which comes from "dexter," meaning right-handed and, by extension, skilled.
How many syllables are in dexterity?
There are four syllables in dexterity.
What is the root word of dexterity?
The root word of dexterity is the Latin "dexter," meaning right (hand) or skillful.
How do we divide dexterity into syllables?
Dexterity is divided into syllables as dex-ter-i-ty.
What is the pronunciation of dexterity?
The pronunciation of dexterity is /dɛkˈstɛrɪti/.
What is the verb form of dexterity?
Dexterity is a noun and does not have a direct verb form. However, the action related to dexterity could be described with verbs like "manipulate" or "handle skillfully."
Is dexterity a noun or adjective?
Dexterity is a noun.
What is the plural form of dexterity?
The plural form is "dexterities."
What part of speech is dexterity?
Dexterity is a noun.
What is the opposite of dexterity?
The opposite of dexterity could be clumsiness or ineptitude.
Is dexterity a collective noun?
No, dexterity is not typically used as a collective noun.
Which determiner is used with dexterity?
Determiners such as "the," "some," or "my" can be used with dexterity depending on the context, e.g., "the dexterity of the artist."
Which vowel is used before dexterity?
This question is not applicable. Articles "a" or "an" precede nouns based on the following sound, but "dexterity" starts with a consonant sound, so "a" is used.
What is the singular form of dexterity?
The singular form is "dexterity."
Is dexterity a countable noun?
Yes, dexterity can be considered a countable noun when referring to specific types or instances of skillfulness.
Is the dexterity term a metaphor?
Dexterity can be used metaphorically to describe skill or adeptness in non-physical tasks.
Is dexterity an adverb?
No, dexterity is not an adverb.
Is dexterity an abstract noun?
Yes, dexterity is an abstract noun as it refers to the concept of skill or agility, not a physical object.
Is dexterity a negative or positive word?
Dexterity is a positive word, as it describes skill and proficiency.
Is the word dexterity is imperative?
No, dexterity is a noun and cannot be imperative. Imperatives are verb forms used for commands or requests.
Which conjunction is used with dexterity?
Conjunctions like "and," "or," and "but" can be used with "dexterity" depending on the sentence structure.
Which article is used with dexterity?
The definite article "the" or the indefinite article "a" can be used with "dexterity" depending on whether it refers to a specific skill or dexterity in general, e.g., "the dexterity" or "a dexterity."
What is another term for dexterity?
Another term for dexterity is agility.
Is dexterity a vowel or consonant?
This question does not apply to the word "dexterity" as a whole; it pertains to individual letters.
Is the word dexterity Gerund?
No, dexterity is a noun. A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun.
Is the word “dexterity” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Dexterity" can serve as a direct object in a sentence, e.g., "The game requires dexterity."
Which preposition is used with dexterity?
Prepositions such as "with" or "of" can be used with dexterity, depending on the context, e.g., "dexterity with tools," "dexterity of mind."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
