Words / C2

uh-DROYT/əˈdrɔɪt/

Adroit means clever and skilful, especially with people or a tricky situation: an adroit question, adroit handling of a complaint. Skilful is everyday; deft is a close synonym; cunning adds a hint of slyness that adroit need not have. Adroitness is the noun. In speech, neat or deft is enough. It praises tact and timing, not brute force or mere intelligence.

Meaning

Clever and skilful, especially in dealing with people or a difficult situation.

Examples

• “An adroit question saved the interview.”
• “An adroit pause let the committee hear how thin the excuse was.”
• “He was adroit with angry parents and clumsy with a spreadsheet.”

Good to know

Skilful and neat, especially socially. Everyday: deft / skilful. Close: deft. Formal/literary. Not sly by default (that is cunning).

Near in meaning

deft

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