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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But after adding three inexpensive yet highly skilled perimeter players — Vandersloot for facilitation, Allen and Nurse for high-volume 3-point shooting — the Sky are now more likely to retain the No. 3 and No. 10 picks to dig into the second phase of building through the draft. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 All these defense strategies will require adequate funding, with the needs likely to increase as cyber criminals become ever more skilled. Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2025 The premise is simple, and writer/director Nicholas Stoller (Neighbors, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him To The Greek) is skilled enough to basically take it from the setup and let his stars do their thing. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025 The firm utilizes the latest technology in the design process, including 3D modeling and virtual reality simulations, and teams with skilled artisans to craft its inspiring spaces. Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for skilled 

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skilled was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near skilled

Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skilled. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

skilled

adjective
1
: having skill : expert
skilled workers
2
: requiring skill and training
a skilled trade

More from Merriam-Webster on skilled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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