deft.

Showing precise, efficient skill in handling something.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• deft touch
• deft handling

On the page

A deft adjustment restored the balance.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Comparative more deft; superlative most deft when comparison is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, description. Commonness: moderately common.