Skillfully

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Displaying exceptional capability and artistry in a given task
2. Performing an action with notable expertise and accuracy
3. Carrying out tasks in a manner that shows refined ability and control

Etymology: "Skillfully" is a plain formation: the adjective "skillful" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added to it. The adjective itself came into Middle English from the noun "skill," which entered the language from Old Norse, and the adverb followed the same pattern, turning a quality of a person or thing into a manner of doing something. Because it is built so transparently, the word's history is mostly a matter of its parts. The "-ly" ending is one of English's most productive tools for turning adjectives into adverbs, which is why "skillfully" sits comfortably beside countless similar formations. Its earliest recorded forms show spelling variants such as "skylfully" and "skilfulliche," a reminder that spelling was not yet standardized in the medieval period.

Synonyms: expertly, adeptly, proficiently, cleverly, dexterously

Antonyms: awkwardly, clumsily, ineptly, unskillfully, poorly