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Definition of deftly

deftly

/ˈdɛftli/
deft · ly
Adjective:deft
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deftly Lexical Profile

deftly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a way that is neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.

Example

"The baker deftly braided the strips of dough into an intricate loaf."

2

In a clever, adept, and effortless manner when handling a complex situation or task.

Example

"She deftly steered the conversation away from the controversial topic."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

defrost
defroster
deft
deftly
deftness
defunct
defund

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the adjective 'deft' (from Old English 'gedæfte', meaning mild, gentle, or fitting, and closely related to 'daft') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deftly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deftly
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