Question skilled VS skilful/skillful

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 14 Sep 2020

• #1

Dear native English speakers,
would you tell me the difference between skilled and skilful/skillful?

Is "a skilful (or skillful) surgeon" the same as "a skilled surgeon"?

And do you also say "a practised/practiced surgeon"? Does it have the same meaning?

 

Last edited: 14 Sep 2020

mdchachi

Moderator

Moderator

Twenty-year veteran

6 Mar 2003

9,318

9,447

• 14 Sep 2020

• #2

hirashin said:

Is "a skilful (or skillful) surgeon" the same as "a skilled surgeon"?

Click to expand...

Yes I think so.

hirashin said:

And do you also say "a practised/practiced surgeon"? Does it have the same meaning?

Click to expand...

Yes it has the same meaning. Although the implication is that the surgeon has a lot of experience and is skilled because of it. Whereas if you say skilled/skillful the surgeon could be experienced or just naturally talented.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 15 Sep 2020

• Thread starter
• #3

Thanks, mdchachi.

 

Lothor

Freelance proofreader

Donor

Ten-year veteran

26 Sep 2015

2,612

3,543

• 15 Sep 2020

• #4

I think there can be a slightly different nuance between skilled and skil(l)ful. The former more often refers to a set of skills formally acquired for work. Britain used to class people into socio-economic groups such as skilled labourers, semi-skilled labourers, etc., and it would be more natural to say 'skilled workers' than 'skil(l)ful workers' in an economic or business context.
However, regarding the surgeon, both are correct English.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 15 Sep 2020

• Thread starter
• #5

Thanks, Lothor.