different between dexterous vs tricky

English

Alternative forms

• dextrous (British)

Etymology

From Latin dexter (“right, ready”) + -ous.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?d?kst??s/
• Rhymes: -?kst??s

Adjective

dexterous (comparative more dexterous, superlative most dexterous)

1. Skillful with one's hands.
2. Skillful in some specific thing.
   • 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

     We went frequently out with this boat a-fishing; and as I was most dexterous to catch fish for him, he never went without me.

3. Agile; flexible; able to move fluidly and gracefully.
4. (figuratively, archaic) Skilled at argumentation; mentally skillful.
   • 1775, speech by Edmund Burke

     […] the study [of law] renders men acute, inquisitive, dexterous, prompt in attack, ready in defense […]

Related terms

• ambidextrous
• dexter
• dexterity

Translations

See also

• adroit
• active
• expert
• skillful
• clever
• able
• ready
• apt
• handy
• versed

Further reading

• dexterous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• dexterous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• dexterous at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• Exoduster

English

Etymology

From trick +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t??ki/

• Rhymes: -?ki

Adjective

tricky (comparative trickier, superlative trickiest)

1. hard to deal with, complicated

   They were in a tricky situation.
2. adept at using deception

   A tricky salesman can sell anything.

3. (colloquial, slang) Relating to or associated with a prostitution trick

   I don't want any of your tricky money, thank you!

Related terms

• trick

Translations

See also

• sneaky