Adroit
Listen in Portuguese
Adjective
- Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Example Sentences
“His adroit organization of the retreat left no room for error.”
“When the caterer canceled at the last minute, the adroit mother of the bride quickly organized a replacement.”
“The adroit chef was a wonder to watch while he worked over the stove.”
Word Origin
French, mid-17th century
Why this word?
“Adroit” is a loanword borrowed directly from French. In French, “à droit” is translated as “according to the right” or “properly,” but in English, “adroit” is an adjective that can refer to either physical or mental dexterity. It means someone is performing a task in a quick and skillful manner. An adroit researcher might come up with the perfect solution to a vexing problem, or an adroit dancer might show off ease of movement.