English vocabulary · C1
Sleight
/slaɪt/ · n.
It means a clever trick done with your hands. You move so fast that no one can see what you did.
Watch the Sleight lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The magician used sleight of hand to hide the coin.
- Her sleight fooled everyone in the room.
Word origin and roots
from Old Norse
- sly — clever trick (from Old Norse)
Synonyms and nuances
- DEXTERITY (manual skill is impressive and precise)
- CUNNING (cleverness is used to deceive)
- TRICKERY (deceptive acts fool the eye or mind)
Words with the same root
sly — clever trick
- sly — clever in a secret or cunning way — done to trick or deceive
Lesson notes
Sleight. It means a clever trick done with your hands. You move so fast that no one can see what you did.
Similar words are dexterity, cunning, and trickery. Use sleight when the trick is done with fast, skillful hands.
The magician used sleight of hand to hide the coin. Her sleight fooled everyone in the room.
From Old Norse. Sly means clever trick. A move so fast and smooth no one sees it happen. That is sleight.