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adept
/əˈdɛpt/
highly skilled
She is adept at solving complex mathematical problems.
She has a high level of skill in solving difficult math problems.
formal
Very skilled or proficient in a particular area.
The chef is adept at preparing traditional French cuisine.
The chef has exceptional skill in making classic French dishes.
He became adept at coding after years of practice.
He developed a high level of proficiency in programming through consistent effort.
Often followed by the preposition 'at' when indicating the specific area of skill.
Collocations
adept atskilled in a particular activity or fieldbecome adeptto develop high skill over time
Pro Tip
Common mistake to avoid
Do not confuse 'adept' with 'adapt'. 'Adept' describes skill, while 'adapt' means to adjust or modify.
Gold Rule
Correct preposition usage
Always use 'at' after 'adept' when specifying the skill area: 'adept at playing piano', not 'adept in playing piano'.
Word Origin
From Latin 'adeptus', past participle of 'adipisci' meaning 'to attain, achieve'. Originally referred to someone who had attained mystical or alchemical knowledge, later generalized to mean any high level of skill.
Usage Notes
Used to describe someone with a high degree of competence, often in a specific field. Common in both written and spoken English, particularly in formal contexts.
Word Breakdown
ad-
to, toward
prefix-ept
to obtain, achieve
rootEnglish Dictionary