Standard Lemma guide

deftness

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈdɛftnəs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Skilfulness, being quick in action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The characteristic of being deft.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

skillful performance or ability without difficulty

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his quick adeptness was a product of good design
  • he was famous for his facility as an archer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: adeptness, adroitness, facility, quickness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: skillfulness

Narrower terms: touch, dexterity, manual dexterity, sleight

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English deft Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English deftness From deft + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Geschicklichkeit — Characteristic of deing deft