The Dexterity Ability Score represents how nimble a character is. Things like dodging an enemy’s attacks, sneaking past a band of goblins, or keeping your footing in a tricky situation are where Dexterity comes into play. Additionally, it takes Dexterity to use ranged weapons or those that require more finesse like bows and rapiers.
A character with a high Dexterity score is difficult to pin down. In combat, they focus on being able to outmaneuver their enemy rather than beat them with brute force. Outside of combat, the ability to move quickly and stay out of sight makes these characters excellent scouts.
A low Dexterity score, on the other hand, might mean that the character is just naturally clumsy. The party’s Paladin may be both noble and strong, but it is in everyone’s best interest that he is not allowed in the town’s ceramic shop.