dexterity

/dekˈsterəti/ (bre, ipa) · /dekˈsterəti/ (ame, ipa) · /dek-ˈster-ə-tē -ˈste-rə-/ (ame, mw)

dexterity — 名詞

1. The ability to move your hands with speed and fine control when a task needs car

1.名詞C2
釋義

手巧

雙手做細緻動作的熟練能力

The ability to move your hands with speed and fine control when a task needs care.

例句

Yumi showed remarkable dexterity while threading tiny beads onto the broken bracelet.

Yumi 穿細珠修補那條斷掉的手鍊時，展現了驚人的手巧。

dexterity while + gerund for careful hand action

The young surgeon's dexterity saved crucial seconds during the emergency operation.

那位年輕外科醫師的靈巧雙手，在緊急手術中省下了關鍵幾秒。

subject often uses hands in a precise task

同義詞
  • skill

    Broader and more general; dexterity highlights quick, precise hand control.

  • deftness

    Very close in meaning, often stressing neat and easy hand movement.

  • coordination

    Focuses on body parts working together, not always on speed or fine precision.

反義詞
  • clumsiness

    Lack of smooth control when using the hands.

文法句型

dexterity with + tool/object

dexterity in + activity

manual/finger dexterity

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. This sense is common in phrases such as 'manual dexterity' and 'dexterity with a tool', and it focuses on fine hand control rather than general speed or strength.

常見錯誤

❌The runner's dexterity helped him win the race.
✅The runner's agility helped him win the race.
💡For fast whole-body movement in sport, 'agility' is usually more natural than 'dexterity'.

2. Quick, effective judgment in a hard situation, especially when you must react at

2.名詞C2
釋義

機敏

反應快且能靈活化解難局

Quick, effective judgment in a hard situation, especially when you must react at once.

例句

Padma answered the reporter's angry question with calm dexterity and a short joke.

Padma 面對記者帶著怒氣的提問時，以冷靜的機敏和一句短短的玩笑化解了場面。

with dexterity for tactful handling

During the budget meeting, Allison used dexterity to keep both teams talking calmly.

在預算會議上，Allison 靠著機敏讓兩個團隊平靜地繼續對話。

used dexterity to + resolve a tense situation

同義詞
  • adroitness

    Close in meaning and quite formal, often used for clever social or mental handling.

  • skill

    Broader and less formal; it does not always suggest quick adjustment.

  • finesse

    Stresses tact and delicacy, especially when dealing with people or a sensitive issue.

反義詞
  • awkwardness

    Poor or uncomfortable handling of a problem or situation.

文法句型

dexterity in + discussion/task

dexterity with + problem/situation

用法筆記

More formal than 'quick thinking'. Unlike sense 1, this sense is not about hand movement; it is used for smart, flexible handling of ideas, people, or changing situations.