What does skilfulness mean?
Skilfulness is the noun form of skilful and describes the quality of performing an activity with competence, precision, and practiced ease. It can refer to technical ability, such as skilfulness with instruments, or to broader capability, such as the skilfulness required to manage a difficult situation. The word is especially associated with British English, although the meaning is understood throughout the English-speaking world; in North American English, skillfulness is more usual. Compared with skill, skilfulness tends to emphasize the quality of the performance itself rather than the ability or knowledge possessed by someone. It is often used in formal, literary, or professional contexts and can sound more approving and polished than dexterity, which may suggest physical control, or competence, which may focus on adequacy. Skilfulness is therefore useful when an author wants to portray not merely whether someone can complete a task, but the grace and effectiveness with which they do it.
nounThe quality of being skilful, especially the ability to perform a task with skill, precision, and effectiveness. It can also refer to a person’s capability or dexterity in a particular activity.
- The quality of being skilful; competence, dexterity, or effectiveness in performing an activity.
"The young apprentice demonstrated remarkable skilfulness in repairing the delicate clock."
"Her skilfulness at handling the delicate instruments earned her a place on the research team."
"The guide praised the climber's skilfulness in finding a safe route through the storm."
This plural is grammatically possible but rarely used; skilfulness is normally treated as an uncountable noun.
"The exhibition highlighted the skilfulnesses of craftspeople working in several traditional media."
Skilfulness names the quiet difference between being able to do something and doing it with practised ease.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How skilfulness is actually used
A formal or literary noun. It is commonly used in British English, while North American usage generally favors skillfulness.
Easily confused with skilfulness
Skilfulness is the noun naming the quality of being highly competent, while skillful is the adjective describing a person or performance that has skill.