adept
14 synonyms and 1 antonym for adept, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Very skilled or highly proficient at something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Very skilled or highly proficient at something.
“She is adept at solving complex puzzles.”
Opposites
How to use adept
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
adept at
highly adept
become adept
Etymology
From French adepte, from Latin adeptus, "one who has attained (skill or knowledge)," from adipisci, "to attain."
Full origin of adept →Frequently asked questions
What does “adept” mean?
The word “adept” means very skilled or highly proficient at something. In plain terms, highly skilled or expert at doing something.
How do you pronounce “adept”?
“Adept” is pronounced uh-DEHPT (/əˈdɛpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “adept” in a sentence?
Here is “adept” used in a sentence: “She is adept at solving complex puzzles.”
What is the opposite of “adept”?
The opposite of “adept” — its antonyms — is inept.
What part of speech is “adept”?
Depending on how it is used, “adept” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “adept” come from?
The word “adept” comes from Latin. From French adepte, from Latin adeptus, "one who has attained (skill or knowledge)," from adipisci, "to attain.".
Is “adept” a common word?
“Adept” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “adept” have?
“Adept” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very skilled or highly proficient at something.
