Definition
Quick, skillful, and clever in the way you move your hands or deal with a situation.
Example
She made a deft catch before the glass hit the floor.
Show translation
She made a quick, skillful catch before the glass hit the floor.
Etymology
From Middle English deft, variant of daft (meaning "gentle, meek, apt"), from Old English gedæfte ("mild, gentle, fitting"). The meaning shifted over centuries from "gentle and fitting" toward "nimble and skillful," losing the sense of softness and gaining one of precision.
Cultural note
Often used in British and American writing to praise elegant, seemingly effortless skill — especially in crafts, surgery, cooking, or diplomacy. "A deft touch" is a common set phrase implying subtlety as much as speed.