deftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deftly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is done skillfully and quickly. Example sentence: The cat quickly and deftly maneuvered through the narrow space between the furniture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another painting he created at this time, The Fortune Teller, shows a young woman deftly removing a man's ring as she pretends to read his palm.

The Guardian - Arts

The designer, Peter Swift, deftly adapted the principles of Japanese garden design to suit the British climate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The First Lady cleverly chose a silk shift dress by Mumbai-born, New York-based designer Naeem Khan, deftly combining a western silhouette with a skirt embellished in exotic silken embroidery that would not have looked out of place on a Rajasthani maharaja.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They deftly discussed the double standards of sexism (Palin "upset" to be thought of as sexy, Clinton upset that she was considered a harpy, a shrew and a boner-shrinker) and made it obvious that it didn't matter if any ol' woman made it to the White House, but rather the right woman.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I am briefly transported to Pigalle, where as a tour guide I once watched, helpless, as a group of uncontrollable teenage Mexicans in my care melted deftly into various bars, strip clubs and brothels, and I know Maurizio is fighting a losing battle against seal lust.

The Guardian - Travel

The granddaddy of these movies would have to be the Boulting brothers' I'm All Right Jack, from 1959, which deftly played industrial dispute as an Ealing comedy.

The Guardian - Film

She has played deftly on disillusionment with mainstream politicians, high unemployment and a flat economy, campaigning as the candidate who stands up for the neglected against the tired and smug establishment.

The Economist

4-H offers organic projects, too (deftly treading a path through the culture wars that dog so many fields in America, including science).

The Economist

First, that she could have done more had she wielded her handbag more deftly.

The Economist

And some artists manage deftly to straddle the divide.

The Economist

Yet such overt humanisation is exactly what is needed in the aftermath of a human-instigated tragedy.Management at Germanwings and its parent company Lufthansa have echoed the approach deftly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deftly" to describe actions performed with noticeable skill and efficiency, especially when precision is involved. For instance, "The surgeon deftly performed the intricate procedure."

Common error

Avoid using "deftly" when describing actions that require brute force rather than finesse. "Deftly" implies a delicate touch, so it's unsuitable for situations where strength is the primary attribute.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deftly" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectival or other adverbs to describe how an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that something is done skillfully and quickly. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deftly" is a versatile adverb that describes actions performed with skill and precision. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and is considered neutral in register. While alternatives like "skillfully" and "adroitly" exist, "deftly" uniquely emphasizes the combination of skill and speed. Remember to use "deftly" when you want to highlight the finesse with which an action is carried out, but avoid it when describing actions that rely on brute force.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skillfully

Focuses more on the skill involved, less on the speed.

adroitly

Emphasizes cleverness and resourcefulness.

dexterously

Highlights manual skill and coordination.

adeptly

Stresses proficiency and competence.

expertly

Implies a high level of knowledge and experience.

efficiently

Focuses on minimizing wasted effort and resources.

competently

Suggests adequate ability to perform a task.

nimbly

Emphasizes agility and quickness in movement.

gracefully

Highlights elegance and smoothness in execution.

artfully

Suggests creativity and aesthetic skill.

FAQs

How can I use "deftly" in a sentence?

"Deftly" is an adverb that describes actions done with skill, speed, and precision. For example, "She "deftly" navigated the crowded marketplace" or "He "deftly" handled the complex negotiations".

What are some synonyms for "deftly"?

Alternatives to "deftly" include "skillfully", "adroitly", "dexterously", and "expertly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "deftly" to describe abstract actions?

Yes, "deftly" can be used for both physical and abstract actions. For example, "The politician "deftly" avoided the controversial question" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "deftly" and "easily"?

"Deftly" implies skill and precision, while "easily" simply means without difficulty. An action can be easy but not require skill, or skillful but not necessarily easy. For example, “She "deftly" played the violin” suggests skill, whereas “She "easily" lifted the box” suggests lack of difficulty.