Word
skillful
Phoneticsskill·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskɪɫfəɫ/
UK/skˈɪlfəl/
Definition
adj. having or showing the ability to do something very well. You use this to describe someone who has practiced a lot and is an expert at their work or hobby.
adj. possessing or displaying a high degree of proficiency or dexterity in a specific area. Often used to describe professional competence or physical coordination.
Examples
“The skillful surgeon performed the operation with great care.”
“The skillful negotiator managed to find a solution that satisfied both the company and the workers.”
“The novel is a skillful blend of historical fact and imaginative fiction, weaving together real events with a cast of compellingly human characters.”
Examples
simple
“The skillful surgeon performed the operation with great care.”
contextual
“The skillful negotiator managed to find a solution that satisfied both the company and the workers.”
complex
“The novel is a skillful blend of historical fact and imaginative fiction, weaving together real events with a cast of compellingly human characters.”
Usage
Commonly modified by adverbs of degree like 'highly' or 'extremely'.
Pitfall
he is skillful in play guitar
he is skillful at playing guitar
When followed by an activity, use the preposition 'at' plus the -ing form of the verb.
Etymology
From Middle English skilful, skylfull, scelvol, equivalent to skill + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/skillful