What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sleight
Example
The magician's sleight of hand left the audience amazed. [sleight: noun]
Example
He used a sleight of foot to avoid the defender and score the goal. [sleight: adjective]
skill
Example
She has great skill in playing the piano. [skill: noun]
Example
He is a skilled carpenter who can build anything from scratch. [skilled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Skill is more commonly used than sleight in everyday language. Skill is a versatile word that can be applied to many contexts, while sleight is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sleight and skill?
Both sleight and skill are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.