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Dexterous vs Adroit vs Deft vs Handy

Dexterous, adroit, deft, handy mean having or showing readiness and skill in the use of one’s hands, limbs, or body and may also imply physical or mental readiness or skill.

Dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and agility in manipulation or movement.

Adroit is only occasionally used with reference to physical skill. It more commonly implies resourcefulness or artfulness and ability to cope effectively or cleverly with situations; thus, an adroit fencer or an adroit magician is, by implication, not only dexterous in his manipulations but able to cope quickly and without bungling with every situation that arises.

Deft stresses lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

Handy usually implies lack of formal or professional training but a degree of skill in doing small jobs (as of carpentry, plumbing, or repairing). It is sometimes applied to a jack-of-all-trades.