French Conversation · Level 17
90 words
French word
habile
Pronunciation
IPA/abil/
Meaning
- adjectiveskilled
Example
Elle est habile avec ses mains.
She is skilled with her hands.
More examples
Il est habile à négocier.
He is skilled at negotiating.
Core concept
A deft person whose practical skill or sharp judgment turns a difficult situation to advantage.
Common phrases
être habile à
be skilled at ___
habile avec ses mains
skilled with one's hands
Similar words
adroit: Dexterous and skillful with the hands in delicate or precise tasks.
ingénieux: Inventive in creating effective tools or methods through ingenuity.
malin: Shrewd and sly in pursuing aims through calculated actions.
compétent: Skilled and knowledgeable enough to handle a job or role well.
Definition in French
Qualifie une personne qui fait preuve d'adresse intellectuelle ou de ruse, accomplissant une action avec finesse et efficacité.
Word origin
Habile is inherited through Old French from Latin habilis, whose sense of being easy to handle broadened into the modern ideas of dexterity and ingenuity.
Usage tips
- Habile is usually positive, but context can give it a calculating or crafty implication when the skill benefits the speaker's interests.
Other meanings
- adeptadjective
- shrewdadjective
Opposites
- maladroitclumsyadjective
- incompétentincompetentadjective
Related words
- habiletéskillnoun
- habilementskillfullyadverb