Dexterous, a.
Etymology: [L. dexter. See Dexter.]
[Written also dextrous.]
1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman.
2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager. Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit. Pope.
3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dexterous; he lists it under clever, happy, skilful.
Where he writes about it:
Happy is also applied to the ready dexterity or skill by which favorable results (usually in minor matters) are secured, when it becomes a synonym for dexterous, felicitous, and the associated words; as, he has a happy wit; happy at retort (compare clever). — from happy
One is adept in that for which he has a natural gift improved by practise; he is expert in that of which training, experience, and study have given him a thorough mastery; he is dexterous in that which he can do effectively, with or without training, especially in work of the hand or bodily activities. — from skilful
Synonyms
cleverhappyskilfulableaccomplishedadeptadroitaptblessedblissfulblitheblithesomebrightbuoyantcapablecheerfulcheeringcheerydeftdelighteddelightfulexpertfelicitousfortunategaygiftedgladhandyingeniousintellectualintelligentjocundjollyjoyfuljoyouskeenknowingluckymerrymirthfulpleasedpractisedproficientprosperousquickquick-wittedrapturousrejoicedrejoicingsharpskilledsmartsmilingsprightlysuccessfulsunnytalentedtrained