skilful

/ˈskɪlfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈskɪlfl/ (ame, ipa)

skilful — adjective

  • skilfulpositive
  • more skilfulcomparative
  • most skilfulsuperlative

1. having the natural or practised ability to carry out a particular activity with

1.形容詞B1
釋義

having the natural or practised ability to carry out a particular activity with great ease and good results, usually because you have spent time learning or doing it

例句

Wren is a skilful photographer who turns ordinary streets into works of art.

skilful + noun describing a person's role

After years of practice, Emre has become skilful at repairing old clocks.

skilful at + gerund (the activity)

同義詞
  • skilled

    more about training or qualifications; a skilled electrician has passed exams, while a skilful electrician works with practised ease

  • proficient

    suggests meeting a measurable standard rather than natural mastery; more formal

  • adept

    suggests quick understanding and cleverness, often with a new or unusual task

  • accomplished

    suggests polished, refined ability recognised by others; implies breadth (accomplished in several areas)

  • expert

    the highest level — deep theoretical knowledge combined with practical mastery

反義詞
  • unskilful

    the direct opposite; lacking practice or natural ability

  • clumsy

    awkward in movement or handling; lacks the ease that skilful implies

  • inept

    uncomfortably bad at something; harsher than clumsy

文法句型

skilful at + noun/gerund (the activity)

skilful with + noun (the tool, material, or type of person)

skilful in + noun/gerund (formal, the area of work)

用法筆記

Frequently used with the prepositions at (naming the skill or activity), with (naming the tool, material, or type of person handled), or in (more formal, naming an area of expertise). In informal British English, very can replace highly as the intensifier: a very skilful player.

常見錯誤

❌She is very skilful in playing piano.
✅She is very skilful at playing the piano.
💡for specific activities, skilful at is the standard pattern; skilful in is reserved for broader fields (skilful in diplomacy).
❌He is a skilful cooker.
✅He is a skilful cook.
💡cook is the person; cooker is the kitchen appliance.

2. produced, performed, or constructed with noticeable care and a high degree of ab

2.形容詞B1
釋義

produced, performed, or constructed with noticeable care and a high degree of ability, so that the result has a clear quality that others can admire

例句

The film's skilful editing kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

skilful + noun for describing a crafted work

Lukas admired the skilful design of the wooden bridge in the park.

同義詞
  • masterly

    suggests the confident work of a true expert; more emphatic than skilful

  • polished

    suggests refinement and attention to finish; less about raw ability and more about presentation

  • expert

    conveys authority and high professional standard; stronger than skilful

反義詞
  • clumsy

    awkward or poorly executed

  • amateurish

    lacking the polish that comes from experience

  • crude

    rough and lacking refinement

文法句型

skilful + noun (the work or result)

skilful + use/handling/editing/design of + noun

用法筆記

Describes a product, performance, or outcome — not the person who produced it. The person behind the result is covered by sense 1. Common in reviews and commentaries about creative or professional work.