adept
Definitions
Very skilled or proficient at something
熟练的，擅长的
A highly skilled person; an expert
能手，行家
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedad- (to) + ept (variant of aptus, fit) once meant "having attained." It was an alchemist's term: an adeptus had reached mastery of the secret art. Today adept describes someone so well-fitted to a skill they handle it with ease.
Root apt still carries 19 more wordsUsage Guide
- Grammar: adept at + noun/gerund (adept at coding) is the most common pattern; adept in is also possible (adept in the arts).
- Stress: as an adjective, usually a-DEPT; the noun is sometimes stressed AD-ept.
- Register: more formal and admiring than "good at."
Example Sentences
- 1.
She is remarkably adept at handling difficult customers.
- 2.
With practice, he became adept at reading musical scores.
- 3.
Only a true adept could solve the puzzle so quickly.
Synonym Comparison
- adept — naturally skillful and smooth at a craft
- skilled — neutral, has developed ability (often through training)
- proficient — competent to a good standard; the working benchmark
- expert — top-level authority and depth
- deft — quick, light, neat in physical movement (deft fingers)