na-adjective
skillful; clever; adroit; ingenious
A な-adjective for skillful handling, expression, technique, or planning. It can be admiring, but in contexts such as 巧みな手口 or 巧みに避ける it can imply cleverness with a suspicious or manipulative edge.
彼女は巧みな話術で観客を引き込んだ。
She drew the audience in with her skillful way of speaking.
He cleverly chose his words and avoided responsibility.
noun
skill; craftsmanship; ingenuity; design
Noun use referring to skill, craft, or ingenious workmanship. Often most natural in set-like expressions such as 巧みを凝らす, rather than as a very common standalone noun.
この箱は、細部に巧みを凝らして作られている。
This box is made with ingenuity in every detail.
noun
Dated noun use meaning a scheme, trick, or contrivance. In modern Japanese, たくらみ, 策略, or 手口 is usually more natural for this meaning.
古い文章では、「巧み」が策略やたくらみを意味することがある。
In older writing, 巧み can mean a scheme or plot.