CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 121
Vocabulary Lesson 24: You’re Good at That!
Today’s roots: apt fit summus highest
para- beyond dexter skillful❑ adroit(adj) dexterous; skillful
Anadroitcon man, Clarence knew how to fool even the most skeptical eye.
Synonyms:deft, proficient Antonyms:clumsy, inept❑ unerring(adj) committing no mistakes; perfect (un-not+errto make a mistake)
Herunerringsense of direction always puts her in the right place even if she has never been there before.
Synonym:infallible Antonym:inferior❑ adept(adj) highly skilled
Roberto, an adeptmathematician, completed the outrageously difficult calculus final in just 25 minutes.
Synonyms:dexterous, adroit Antonyms:incompetent, clumsy❑ aptitude(n) a natural ability; intelligence (aptfit)
Kenneth showed a great aptitudefor computers as a child, designing complex programs at the age of ten.
Synonyms:competence, expertise Antonyms:ineptitude, incompetence❑ paragon(n) a model of excellence; perfection (para-beyond)
The head of several charities, Susan is the paragonof philanthropy.
Synonyms:prototype; epitome❑ deft(adj) adroit, skillful
The graceful ballerina kept from tripping on stage by deftlyavoiding the poorly placed electrical wires.
Synonyms:proficient, adroit Antonyms:clumsy, inept, awkward❑ preeminent(adj) outstanding
Apreeminentpsychologist, Dr. Carter is often asked to lend his expertise on difficult cases.
Synonyms:unsurpassed, paramount Antonym:inferior❑ expertise(n) knowledge or skill in a particular area
Synonyms:prowess, savvy, bailiwick❑ discerning(adj) showing good judgment or keen insight (dis-off+cerneredistinguish)
Synonyms:astute, judicious, sage❑ agility(n) nimbleness (agilisto move)
Synonyms:spryness, litheness❑ consummate(adj) perfect in every respect (con-with+summushighest)
Synonym:impeccable❑ dexterous(adj) skillful with the hands (dexterskillful+-ousfull of)
Synonyms:adroit, adept❑ impeccable(adj) flawless (im-not+peccareto sin)
Synonyms:immaculate, infallible, transcendent❑ precocious(adj) unusually advanced or mature in development (especially in mental attitude)