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

By staying ahead of these challenges and embracing new security strategies, businesses can ensure their networks are secure today and—at the same time—are agile enough to handle whatever the future may hold. —Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

This centralized and hierarchical decision-making is incompatible with the desire for speed and a rapid trial-and-error approach, called agile development, as is practiced in Silicon Valley. —Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Marketing and sales teams, often operating with long lead times, now need to be as agile as the logistics teams—reacting in real time to geopolitical shifts. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Who wouldn’t want to ride a robot inspired by nature’s most agile creatures? —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for agile

• fragile

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