SKILFULLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does skilfully mean? 

• SKILFULLY (adverb)
  The adverb SKILFULLY has 1 sense:

1. with skill

  Familiarity information: SKILFULLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SKILFULLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With skill

Synonyms:

skilfully; skillfully

Context example:

fragments of a nearly complete jug, skillfully restored at the institute of archaeology

 Context examples 

A sudden hush announced that the men were on their feet again, and so skilfully had the seconds done their work, that neither looked a jot the worse for what had passed.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The blanc mange was lumpy, and the strawberries not as ripe as they looked, having been skilfully 'deaconed'.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Presently they brought her to the fireside, very much confused, and very shy,—but she soon became more assured when she found how gently and respectfully Steerforth spoke to her; how skilfully he avoided anything that would embarrass her; how he talked to Mr. Peggotty of boats, and ships, and tides, and fish; how he referred to me about the time when he had seen Mr. Peggotty at Salem House; how delighted he was with the boat and all belonging to it; how lightly and easily he carried on, until he brought us, by degrees, into a charmed circle, and we were all talking away without any reserve.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

And therefore I have but two methods to preserve my cow. The first is, to gain over my adversary’s lawyer with a double fee, who will then betray his client by insinuating that he hath justice on his side. The second way is for my lawyer to make my cause appear as unjust as he can, by allowing the cow to belong to my adversary: and this, if it be skilfully done, will certainly bespeak the favour of the bench.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)