# deft

/ˈdɛft/ (US) · /dˈɛft/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deft
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

having the skill to do something difficult with great care and precision. You use this to describe someone who is very good at a specific task, like a surgeon or a dancer.

For teachers: characterised by skill, precision, and grace in handling difficult or delicate tasks. Often used to describe physical movements or intellectual handling of complex situations.

## Examples

- The surgeon made a deft cut to save the patient.
- The pianist played the difficult passage with such deft fingers that the audience barely noticed the complexity.
- A deft diplomat managed to navigate the tense negotiations without alienating either side, finding a compromise that satisfied both nations' core interests.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.