sleight
Sleight (noun) means Skillful, quick trickery, especially in performing a deceptive feat with the hands. Example: “The magician's sleight of hand fooled the entire audience.”
How to use sleight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDexterous, deceptive skill — almost always seen in the fixed phrase "sleight of hand."
Frequently misspelled "slight of hand" — "slight" means small or minor, which is a different word entirely.
Word forms
sleights plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The magician's _____ of hand fooled the entire audience.
Etymology
From Old Norse slœgð, "cunning" — the same root that gave English "sly."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sleight
See all rhymes for sleight →Frequently asked questions
What does “sleight” mean?
The word “sleight” means skillful, quick trickery, especially in performing a deceptive feat with the hands. In plain terms, dexterous, deceptive skill — almost always seen in the fixed phrase "sleight of hand.".
How do you pronounce “sleight”?
“Sleight” is pronounced slyt (/slaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleight” in a sentence?
Here is “sleight” used in a sentence: “The magician's sleight of hand fooled the entire audience.”
What part of speech is “sleight”?
“Sleight” is a noun.
Where does the word “sleight” come from?
The word “sleight” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse slœgð, "cunning" — the same root that gave English "sly.".
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