skillful

/ˈskɪlfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈskɪlfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskil-fəl/ (ame, mw)

skillful — adjective

  • skillfulpositive
  • more skillfulcomparative
  • most skillfulsuperlative

1. describes someone who can do a job or activity very well because they have train

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes someone who can do a job or activity very well because they have trained and practised a lot

例句

The young carpenter was so skillful that her wooden tables sold out within a week.

skillful + [person role] — subject is a trained professional

Dr. Okafor is a skillful surgeon who has successfully performed more than a thousand operations.

同義詞
  • adept

    suggests quickness of learning as well as skill; 'adept at using new software'

  • expert

    stronger than skillful; implies a very high level of knowledge and authority; 'an expert chess player'

  • proficient

    more formal and often used for tested or measured ability; 'proficient in three languages'

  • dexterous

    emphasises physical hand-eye coordination; 'a dexterous watchmaker'

反義詞
  • clumsy

    lacking skill in physical movements

  • inept

    lacking skill in a general or social sense

用法筆記

This is the US spelling; the UK spelling is 'skilful'. The word is used positively about people whose training, experience, or natural talent makes them excellent at what they do.

常見錯誤

❌He is a skilful doctor with thirty years of experience.
✅He is a skillful doctor with thirty years of experience.
💡US readers may treat 'skilful' as a misspelling; use 'skillful' in American English.

2. describes an object or action that shows great ability and careful attention fro

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes an object or action that shows great ability and careful attention from the person who made or performed it

例句

The chef's skillful use of herbs turned a simple soup into a dish everyone praised.

skillful use of + [noun] — shows ability in applying something

Visitors stopped to admire the skillful carvings on the old wooden temple doors.

同義詞
  • masterly

    implies a very high degree of skill, like a master; 'a masterly performance'

  • accomplished

    emphasises polish and achievement; 'an accomplished piece of writing'

  • deft

    suggests quick, light, and sure movement; 'a deft touch on the piano keys'

反義詞
  • awkward

    lacking grace or smoothness in result

  • amateurish

    done without professional skill

用法筆記

This sense modifies things (nouns describing actions or results), not people directly. Compare 'a skillful painting' (the painting shows skill) with 'a skillful painter' (the person has skill — Sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌The skillful cake was delicious.
✅The skillfully made cake was delicious.
💡For food or everyday objects, use 'skillfully made' or 'skillfully prepared' rather than 'skillful' directly before the noun.