Definitions

adept

[uh-dept, ad-ept, uh-dept] / əˈdɛpt, ˈæd ɛpt, əˈdɛpt /

ADJECTIVE

very able

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accomplished adroit capable deft proficient skilled skillful versed

STRONG

ace clean crack crackerjack expert hotshot quick savvy sharp slick smooth there whiz wizard

WEAK

brainy dexterous hot know stuff masterful masterly no dummy no slouch nobody's fool on the ball on the beam practiced sharp as a tack up to speed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

awkward clumsy green incapable incompetent inept inexperienced unable unskilled unskillful

STRONG

coarse ignorant indefinite lazy rough slow stupid unintelligent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Adept tax preparers know how to lower the stress when dealing with these couples, Rogin says.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

McGrew is starting Arda with co-founder Augustus Odena, who previously co-founded Adept AI, and Palantir alums Jakob Frick and Alex Mark, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Adept at balancing ideological loyalty with pragmatic statecraft, Larijani will not attend the talks, but is central to Tehran's nuclear policy and strategic diplomacy.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

While there, she started the Adept Quarterly literary magazine in 1971.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

In no case do the powers attributed to him exceed those which are claimed for a fully equipped Adept.

From Brood of the Witch-Queen by Rohmer, Sax

Vocabulary lists containing adept

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"

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The Phantom Tollbooth

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Bright Ideas: Synonyms For "Smart"

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