Confused bale is skilful (4)
I believe the answer is:
able
'skilful' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'confused bale' is the wordplay.
'confused' is an anagram indicator.
'bale' with letters rearranged gives 'ABLE'.
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for able that I've seen before include "... was I ere I saw Elba (palindrome)" , "Competent, capable" , "Having the power, skill or means (to do something)" , "Clever skilful" , "Capable seaman" .)