deftness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deftness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe skillfulness or agility in performing tasks, particularly in a physical or mental context. Example: "Her deftness in handling the complex machinery impressed everyone in the workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He flicked the ball past Colin Hendry with a deftness that confounded the laws of physics, and certainly confounded the lumbering Hendry who was left looking dazedly around as Gascoigne, with his other foot, volleyed crisply past Andy Goram.

The Guardian - Sport

Stories such as "Victory Lap" demonstrate his deftness of touch in mixing humour and humanity, as well as showcasing his technical brilliance, incorporating several different points of view in a contained space.

The Guardian

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former French finance minister who took the IMF's helm in November 2007, has shown a boldness and political deftness his predecessors lacked.

The Economist

Moreover, Ms Merkel showed during her own EU presidency last year a deftness for compromise that is lacking in either Mr Sarkozy or Mr Brown.Trilateralism has been tried before.

The Economist

For another, he has taken Norwegians aback with the deftness by which he has pulled his trio of disparate parties together.

The Economist

That he has done so owes more to his own political deftness than to any sweeping appeal of his independence-minded Scottish National Party (SNP), and even more to the pots of money he has thrown at public services.

The Economist

That has seen off the risk of a general strike.For all their tactical political deftness, these agreements carry an economic cost for Spain.

The Economist

The hope, of course, is that someone, somewhere, will come up with the killer app that kick-starts the whole of the personal-robot industry.What separates Willow Garage's PR2 robots from the rest is not just their deftness on the dance floor, nor even their potential handiness around the home.

The Economist

The third is the deftness with which the world's central bankers and finance ministers design and co-ordinate the withdrawal of policy stimulus (see article).The picture on global growth is increasingly split.

The Economist

Until now she has prospered by showing strength in foreign policy and deftness in managing the coalition's internal divisions.

The Economist

Mr Toibin's deftness and sensitivity in teasing out the moments in James's life where might-be slides into might-have-been are particularly memorable.The author also helps to cast new light on James's decision, conscious or otherwise, to eschew marriage and lovers in order to safeguard his art and the quiet he needed to be a writer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to handle complex situations or tasks with grace and efficiency, use "deftness" to highlight their skill and smoothness. For example, "The negotiator showed remarkable "deftness" in resolving the dispute".

Common error

Avoid using "deftness" when simpler words like "skill" or "ability" suffice. "Deftness" implies a specific kind of skillful ease and precision, not just general competence. For instance, saying "He completed the task with "deftness"" when it was simply a matter of effort would be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deftness" is as a noun. It refers to the quality or state of being deft, denoting skill and agility in performing tasks or handling situations. Ludwig AI shows its application in diverse contexts, confirming its role as a noun representing a specific attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deftness" is a noun denoting skill and agility, frequently used in neutral to formal contexts such as news and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable presence in written English, highlighting its function to emphasize the quality of performance. It conveys not just ability, but also grace and precision. Related terms include "skill", "adroitness", and "dexterity", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. Ludwig provides numerous examples to guide accurate usage, from professional to creative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adeptness

Implies a high degree of skill or expertness.

Adroitness

Implies cleverness and skill, often in dealing with difficult situations.

Dexterity

Specifically refers to skill in using one's hands or body.

Facility

Suggests ease and fluency in performing a task.

Agility

Emphasizes quickness and nimbleness, both physically and mentally.

Proficiency

Focuses on competence and mastery of a particular skill or task.

Nimbleness

Highlights quickness and light movement.

Expertise

Highlights a high level of knowledge and skill in a specific area.

Mastery

Indicates comprehensive skill and control.

Skill

This is a more general term for competence. It refers to the ability to do something well, but does not necessarily imply quickness or grace.

FAQs

How can I effectively use the word "deftness" in a sentence?

Use "deftness" when you want to emphasize someone's skill, agility, and precision in performing a task or handling a situation. For example, "Her "deftness" in negotiating the contract was impressive".

What are some alternatives to using the word "deftness"?

You can use alternatives like "skill", "adroitness", or "dexterity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "deftness" and "adroitness"?

"Deftness" generally refers to skill and quickness, while "adroitness" often implies cleverness or resourcefulness in dealing with tricky situations.

When is it appropriate to use "deftness" instead of "skill"?

Use "deftness" when you want to highlight not just the ability to do something well ("skill") but also the ease, grace, and precision with which it is done.