Added 9 October 2026 deftly /ˈdɛftli/ adverb Categories: Describing WordsRare Words adverb ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about deftly at Wordnik → Where our words come from → With dexterity; in a dexterous manner. dextrously he untied the knots In a deft manner. Lois deftly removed her scarf Related Words: dextrouslydexterouslyskillfullyskilfullyablycleverlyshrewdlyadroitlydeft-handedlydeflycleanlyneat-handedly Back to today's word