skilful

Skilful is an adjective meaning possessing or demonstrating skill; adept, proficient, or competent in performing a task. It can describe a person, an action, or an object that requires and shows a high level of competence.

Spelling variations align with regional variety. Skilful is the standard form in British English and most other Commonwealth varieties, while skillful is common in American English. Both spellings convey the same meaning. Adverbs follow the corresponding spelling: skilfully in British English and skillfully in American English.

The word derives from the noun skill, with the suffix -ful, and refers to quality or capability rather than mere effort. In usage, skilful refers to the capability someone possesses or demonstrates, or to a technique that is executed with competence.

Examples include: "a skilful pianist," "skilful use of tools," or "to perform a skilful maneuver." Related terms include adept, proficient, dexterous, and deft. In formal writing, consistency is preferred, so a document should consistently use either skilful/skillful and skilfully/skillfully throughout.