Dexterity

//dɛksˈtɛɹɪti// noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands. countable, uncountable

    "Playing computer games can improve your manual dexterity."

  2. 2
    adroitness in using the hands wordnet

Example

More examples

"Playing the piano requires manual dexterity."

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French dextérité, from Latin dexteritas, from dexter (“on the right”), this is in reference to most people having greater fine motor skills in their right hand. Partially displaced native Old English handcræft, whence Modern English handcraft.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.