skilled

1 of 2

adjective

ˈskild How to pronounce skilled (audio)
Synonyms of skillednext
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

skilled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of skill entry 2

Synonyms of skilled

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Adjective

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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

Adjective a very skilled and talented writer He is skilled at cooking. Carpentry is a skilled trade.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
BlackRock, the largest asset manager on earth, put up $100 million over five years to connect 50,000 workers with skilled trades training. — Alok Chanani, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Kacmarek, a skilled run blocker, permitted the first sack of his career. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Silana frames automation as a response to shortages of skilled sewing operators and an aging workforce, particularly across Europe and the US. — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 This is especially true when the skilled fashionings of the human hand—not to mention the cogitations of the human mind—are being displaced by digital simulacra. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skilled

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skilled was in 1552

Rhymes for skilled

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Browse Nearby Words

skill
skilled
skillet
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Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skilled. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skilled

adjective
ˈskild How to pronounce skilled (audio)
1
: having skill : expert
skilled workers
2
: requiring skill and training
a skilled trade
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