skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

1

: having acquired mastery of or skill in something (such as a technique or a trade)

skilled in the art of negotiation

2

: of, relating to, or requiring workers or labor with skill and training in a particular occupation, craft, or trade

Synonyms

• accomplished
• ace
• adept
• compleat
• complete
• consummate
• crack
• crackerjack
• educated
• experienced
• expert
• good
• great
• master
• masterful
• masterly
• practiced
• practised
• professed
• proficient
• skillful
• versed
• veteran
• virtuoso

Choose the Right Synonym for skilled

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession.

proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of skilled in a Sentence

a very skilled and talented writer

He is skilled at cooking.

Carpentry is a skilled trade.

Recent Examples on the Web

This could exacerbate inequalities in the job market by increasing demand for highly skilled workers while marginalizing others. —Adrian Stelmach, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Trump has already shown a willingness to break with his grassroots supporters and side with Musk and tech companies over visas for skilled workers. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025

His brother Rod Dameron, a skilled bodywork specialist with a knack for hot rods, tackled the car’s body restoration alongside his cousin Rodney Creed, who brought his mechanical skills to the table so that the cars could actually run. —Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025

Tuna is big business in Japan, where highly skilled chefs transform the iridescent fish into mouth-watering sashimi, sushi and nigiri. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

1

: having skill : expert

skilled workers

2

: requiring skill and training

a skilled trade