3 syllables: Dex, ter, ous. Stress on Dex.
DEK-stur-uhs
/ˈdɛkstɚəs/
Dexterous is pronounced DEK-stur-uhs (/ˈdɛkstɚəs/). It has three syllables (Dex-ter-ous), with the stress on "Dex". Dexterous is an adjective describing someone skillful and nimble, especially with the hands or fingers. It implies deft coordination and precise control in performing tasks that require fine motor skill. The term often appears in contexts like craftsmanship, surgery, or sports where refined manual ability is evident.
adjectiveDexterous is an adjective describing someone skillful and nimble, especially with the hands or fingers. It implies deft coordination and precise control in performing tasks that require fine motor skill. The term often appears in contexts like craftsmanship, surgery, or sports where refined manual ability is evident.
"Her dexterous fingers threaded the needle with surprising speed and accuracy."
"The surgeon’s dexterous hands steadied the instruments during the delicate operation."
"The climber showed dexterous movement, finding microholds with minimal effort."
Dexterous is pronounced /ˈdɛk.stə.rəs/ in US and /ˈdɛk.stə.rəs/ in UK and Australian English. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: DEX-ter-ous. Break it into three parts: /ˈdɛk/ (dex) + /stə/ (stuh) + /rəs/ (ruhs). Tip: keep the middle syllable unstressed and quick, so the sequence sounds like DEX-stuh-ruhs. Audio references: you can hear standard pronunciations on Forvo and major dictionaries.
Common errors include overemphasizing the middle syllable or flattening the last syllable, producing /ˈdɛk.ste.rəs/ or /ˈdɛk.stroʊs/. Correct the first two sounds to /ˈdɛk/ with a short e, keep the second syllable as /tə/ (not /ste/), and finish with a weak /rəs/. Ensure the final /əs/ has a subtle schwa quality rather than a full vowel. Practicing with minimal pairs like /ˈdɛk.stə.rəs/ vs /ˈdɛk.ste.rəs/ helps solidify the correct rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /d/ and /ˈdɛk/ are consistent. The key differences are in rhoticity and vowel quality. US and AU typically use a rhotic /ɹ/ after /ə/ in connected speech; non-rhotic UK may soften the /ɹ/ in rapid speech, making /ˈdɛk.stə.rəs/ sound with a lighter final rhotic. Vowel duration and quality in /ɛ/ and the schwa /ə/ are generally stable, but Australian listeners may shorten vowels slightly in rapid speech. Overall, the core three-syllable rhythm remains the same across accents.
The difficulty lies in balancing the three syllables with the right rhythm: DEX-ter-ous. The first syllable carries primary stress, the middle is reduced to a quick /tə/ and the final syllable has a weak /rəs/ that can soften in non-rhotic varieties. The subtle vowel sounds /ɛ/ (as in “dress”) and /ə/ (schwa) require precise articulation, and many speakers blend the final /r/ into a vocalic ending in fast speech. Focus on keeping the middle syllable light and switching smoothly to the final /rəs/.
Dexterous has no silent letters. All three syllables carry phonetic content: /ˈdɛk/ (DEX) with clear /e/ and /k/, /stə/ (stuh) with a reduced mid syllable, and /rəs/ (ruhs) with a pronounced /r/ in rhotic varieties and a softer /ɹ/ in non-rhotic speakers. The challenge is not silence but managing the rapid, three-syllable flow and keeping the /t/ crisp without letting it blend with the /s/.
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Dexterous derives from the Latin dexter, meaning right-handed or skilled, combined with the suffix -ous. The root dexter (Latin dexter, “right, skillful”) evolved in Old French as dexter, and by Middle English it formed adjectives denoting skill and manual deftness. The sense broadened from “right-handed” to “skillful with the hands” as competition and craftmanship increased in medieval Europe. In modern usage, dexterous emphasizes proficient, agile, and precise action, often in contexts requiring fine motor control. First known uses appeared in English literature and technical writings from the 15th to 17th centuries, aligning with a cultural emphasis on skilled workmanship and manual ability. Over time, the word retained its core meaning (skill and manual deftness) while widening to any domain involving nimble, coordinated action, not solely hand-related tasks.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Dexterous" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Dexterous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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