agile

adjective

ag·​ile ˈa-jəl  -ˌjī(-ə)l 

1

: marked by ready ability to move with quick easy grace

an agile dancer

2

: having a quick resourceful and adaptable character

an agile mind

agilely

ˈa-jə(l)-lē 

-ˌjī(-ə)(l)-lē

adverb

Synonyms

• featly
• feline
• graceful
• gracile
• light
• light-footed
• light-foot
• lightsome
• lissome
• lissom
• lithe
• lithesome
• nimble
• spry

Examples of agile in a Sentence

Leopards are very fast and agile.

the expressive movements of agile dancers

Recent Examples on the Web

So staying agile and open to new tech approaches is critical. —Chris Hoyt, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

The difference between a success story and a short (lived) story is how a business embraces small, agile teams united by a shared purpose and driven by a mission that matters. —Chris O’Neill, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024

This book, the writing, the instructions, the language, the recipes, the tone—even the nude pin-up calendar in the butcher’s station—the work is still, twenty years later, funny, lean and agile and vital and relevant. —Gabrielle Hamilton, Bon Appétit, 8 Aug. 2024

Along with the nerve-shredding sound, a big assist in that area comes from cinematographer Galo Olivares’ agile camerawork and Benjamin Wallfisch’s haute horror score, incorporating echoes of Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner’s music for the first two movies. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin agilis, from agere "to drive, be in motion, do, perform" + -ilis -ile entry 1 — more at agent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

agile

adjective

ag·​ile ˈaj-əl  -ˌīl 

1

: able to move quickly and easily : nimble

an agile gymnast

2

: mentally quick

an agile thinker

agilely

-ə(l)-lē 

-ˌī(l)-lē

adverb

agility

ə-ˈjil-ət-ē

noun

Etymology

Latin agilis "nimble, agile," from agere "to drive, act, do" — related to act, agent