dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ə-tē 
-ˈste-rə-
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
manual dexterity
2
: mental skill or quickness : adroitness
Examples of dexterity in a Sentence
Russ Cellan, Ferguson's coach at Freeport (New York) High, and Ron Prince, his former offensive line coach at Virginia, both attribute Ferguson's dexterity and footwork to his extensive martial arts training …
—
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006
The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry.
—S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990
But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates.
—Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985
The job requires manual dexterity.
He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly.
The amazing dexterity of the acrobat.
He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006
The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry.
—S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990
But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates.
—Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985
The job requires manual dexterity.
He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly.
The amazing dexterity of the acrobat.
He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Working with other young rappers—peers, not big brothers—yielded a looser, more playful Wayne who got to test his dexterity over popular instrumentals of the early aughts.
—Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
During a brief lull in preschoolers, a couple, probably in their 20s, furtively, quickly, with Spidey-esque dexterity, shoot pictures of themselves with Spider-Man best described as R-rated.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Gotta admire the dexterity on this old lady, though.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 6 May 2025
Even in an era when the Premier League is an increasingly intense, high-performance, low-margin-of-error sport, an activity requiring the mental dexterity of a toddler is unlikely to derail a team’s focus.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterity
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Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
During a brief lull in preschoolers, a couple, probably in their 20s, furtively, quickly, with Spidey-esque dexterity, shoot pictures of themselves with Spider-Man best described as R-rated.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Gotta admire the dexterity on this old lady, though.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 6 May 2025
Even in an era when the Premier League is an increasingly intense, high-performance, low-margin-of-error sport, an activity requiring the mental dexterity of a toddler is unlikely to derail a team’s focus.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterity
Cite this Entry
“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dexterity. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ət-ē
plural dexterities
1
: mental skill or quickness
2
: ease and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
Medical Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ət-ē
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
2
: mental skill or quickness
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