adjective
adroit
uh-DROYT/əˈdrɔɪt/
Skillful and quick in action or thought.
The adroit technician reconnects the delicate wires with steady hands.
Etymology
The phrase meant “according to right,” linking skill with doing something correctly. Its prominent association with a trained hand connects physical dexterity to clever, skillful handling of situations.
In context
Again and again he had brought ruin to a household, again and again his adroit tongue and his cunning wit had in some fashion saved him from the punishment of his deeds.
More examples
- Her adroit answer steers the discussion away from personal attacks.
- He is remarkably adroit at negotiating crowded streets.
- An adroit change of tactics helps the team recover.
Forms
adroitness noun — Quick and skillful handling of an action or situation.
Similar words
- dexterous
- Often emphasizes coordinated physical skill, especially with the hands.
- deft
- Emphasizes quick, light, and skillful execution of an action.