deftly
adv.adv. to do something with great skill and care. You use this when someone handles a difficult situation or a delicate object without making a mistake.
adv. in a manner that shows great skill, dexterity, or tact. Often describes the handling of physical objects or the management of complex social or emotional situations.
She deftly handled the delicate glassware without breaking anything.
The diplomat deftly navigated the tense conversation, ensuring that no one felt slighted by the final agreement.
The surgeon deftly maneuvered the instruments through the narrow space, demonstrating a level of precision that only years of practice could provide.
From deft + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 20, 2026