nimble-fingered
/'nimbl'fiɳgəd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Physically dexterous: Having fingers that are quick, skillful, and agile in movement. 2. Figuratively skillful: Demonstrating mental agility, deftness, or cleverness, especially in a delicate or intricate task.
Usage
The adjective "nimble-fingered" directly describes a person or their actions. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was").
Examples
- Attributive use:
- The nimble-fingered surgeon performed the delicate operation with precision.
- She is a nimble-fingered pianist, capable of playing the most complex passages.
- Predicative use:
- The magician's hands were incredibly nimble-fingered.
- To be a good watchmaker, you must be nimble-fingered.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative use for mental skill: While often literal, it can describe cleverness in non-physical domains.
- The author's nimble-fingered prose weaves multiple storylines together seamlessly.
- He navigated the complex legal negotiations with nimble-fingered diplomacy.
Variants and Related Words
- Light-fingered (adj): This is a near-synonym but carries a strong connotation of stealing or pickpocketing. "Nimble-fingered" is neutral or positive, while "light-fingered" is usually negative.
- The museum was wary of light-fingered visitors.
- Dexterous (adj): Having skill with the hands. A more formal synonym.
- Nimble (adj): Quick and light in movement or thought; agile. The root word from which "nimble-fingered" is derived.
Synonyms
- Agile
- Deft
- Adroit
- Skillful
- Quick-fingered
Antonyms
- Clumsy
- All thumbs
- Maladroit
- Fumble-fingered
Adjective
- having nimble fingers literally or figuratively; especially for stealing or picking pockets
- a light-fingered burglar who can crack the combination of a bank vault- Harry Hansen
- the light-fingered thoughtfulness...of the most civilized playwright of the era- Time