Sleight is a noun that can refer either to a deceitful kind of craftiness, or to skill and dexterity. It is typically found in the phrase "sleight of hand," or variations on that phrase (as in "sleight of pen").

Sleight is by far most commonly used in the phrase sleight of hand, whose meanings are very similar to those of sleight: manual dexterity, general trickery, or a trick performed with quick and skillful hand …

sleight (slaɪt) n. 1. skill; dexterity. 2. an artifice; stratagem. 3. cunning; craft.

Commonly confused words - Slight and sleight sound the same, but things that are slight are little and light, and sleight means slyness or sneakiness.

Again and again, with only minor variations, we see this sleight of hand at work.

Slight, whether as an adjective or a verb, often denotes something minor or a form of disregard. Sleight, in contrast, pertains to dexterity or trickery, closely associated with skillful manipulation. …

There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun sleight, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Jul 15, 2025 · sleight (countable and uncountable, plural sleights) Cunning; craft; artful practice. If men have so many sleights to compass their matters, how can the compasser himself hold his fingers? …

sleight - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

Synonyms for SLEIGHT: ruse, trick, scheme, device, sleight of hand, stratagem, gambit, ploy; Antonyms of SLEIGHT: incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, inadequacy, ineptness, density, obtuseness, …