skillful
gb/skˈɪlfəl/ us/skˈɪlfəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having a lot of skill
able to do something very well because you have skill
Usage pattern:
[someone] is skillful at/in [activity]
Common mistake:
Do not use as an adverb (*skillfuly). Use "skillfully". Also, "skillful" and "skilled" are often similar, but "skillful" commonly emphasizes performance and technique.
Synonyms
skilled (More common in job/training contexts.)
|
expert (Stronger; often implies high authority or specialization.)
|
adept (Slightly more formal; often used with 'at'.)
|
proficient (More formal; often used in tests or workplace settings.)
Antonyms
unskilled (Lacking training or developed skill.)
|
inexperienced (Not having enough practice or time doing it.)
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clumsy (Shows poor coordination or awkward technique.)
Collocations
skillful player
|skillful musician
|skillful surgeon
|skillful driver
|skillful worker
|skillful negotiator
|highly skillful
|extremely skillful
|skillful and experienced
|skillful at chess
Themes
education
|work
|sports
Examples
- She’s a skillful pianist who can sight-read complex pieces.
- We need a skillful negotiator to handle this contract.
- He became more skillful with each season of coaching.
Learner examples
- My sister is skillful at drawing.
- He is skillful in math.
adjective
B2
property
2
done with skill
done in a very good, skilled way
Usage pattern:
a skillful [action/attempt/handling/use] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use "skillful" where an adverb is needed; for verbs, use "skillfully" (e.g., "She skillfully handled it").
Synonyms
well-executed (Focuses on the quality of the result.)
|
adroit (More formal; suggests quick, clever skill.)
|
masterful (Stronger praise; suggests control and confidence.)
Antonyms
poorly executed (Done badly or with weak technique.)
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inept (Clearly lacking skill in a noticeable way.)
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awkward (Unnatural or not smooth in execution.)
Collocations
skillful performance
|skillful handling
|skillful use
|skillful management
|skillful editing
|skillful execution
|skillful solution
|skillful repair
|skillful combination
|skillful response
Themes
daily_life
|work
|arts
Examples
- It was a skillful performance that kept the audience engaged.
- Her skillful handling of the questions calmed the room.
- The film uses flashbacks in a skillful way.
Learner examples
- That was a skillful move.
- The repair was skillful.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skillful
IPA
GB/skˈɪlfəl/
US/skˈɪlfəl/
Syllables & stress
skill - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (skill)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: skillful
Expressions
be skillful at (doing) something
1/bˈi skˈɪlfəl ˈæt dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
have ability in an activity
do an activity very well
Examples
- He’s skillful at repairing bikes.
- She is skillful at getting people to agree without arguing.
be skillful with something
1/bˈi skˈɪlfəl wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
handle a tool or method well
use something very well
Examples
- She’s skillful with a needle and can mend anything.
- He’s skillful with data and spots patterns quickly.