adept
Very skilled or proficient at something
Examples
In a meeting
“She's adept at managing difficult client conversations.”
Over coffee
“He's become adept at cooking since living alone.”
Why this word
skilled
adept emphasizes natural ability and practiced ease in performance, while skilled focuses more on acquired training
good
adept indicates high proficiency with fluency and ease, while good is vague about the level and nature of competence
capable
adept suggests mastery and dexterity, while capable only means having the ability to do something adequately
Usage tip
Implies natural skill combined with practice; stronger than 'good' but not as formal as 'expert'
Etymology
Latin 'adeptus' meaning 'having attained' (from 'adipisci' to attain)
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Related words
proficient
Competent and skilled at doing something
versed
Experienced or skilled in a particular area of knowledge
mastery
Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity
literate
Having knowledge or competence in a specified area
proficiency
A high degree of skill or expertise in a particular area
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.