lithe

adjective

ˈlīt͟h  ˈlīth 

1

: easily bent or flexed

lithe steel

a lithe vine

2

: characterized by easy flexibility and grace

a lithe dancer

treading with a lithe silent step

also : athletically slim

the most lithe and graspable of waists

—R. P. Warren

lithely adverb

litheness noun

Synonyms

• bendy [chiefly British]
• flexible
• limber
• lissome
• lissom
• lithesome
• pliable
• pliant
• supple
• willowy

Examples of lithe in a Sentence

the lithe body of a dancer

the lithe blade of a fencing foil

Recent Examples on the Web

Movies have long cherished the contrast between a ballerina’s delicacy and lithe visuals with the gritty determination required to leap, dance and twirl in the highly unnatural way that is dancing on your toes. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 31 May 2025

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is clean, lithe, and snappy. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 May 2025

Tall and lithe with long white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes, the Snow Man has become a boogeyman of sorts for the people living in and around the Min family guild. —Kayti Burt, Time, 16 May 2025

Instead of moving with strength or purpose, the suit is agile, lithe, and capable of sliding out of the way of green projectiles to trigger a slow down and gain access to more powerful attacks. —Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English līthe gentle; akin to Old High German lindi gentle, Latin lentus slow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lithe

• blithe
• scythe
• tithe
• writhe
• wythe

Kids Definition

lithe

adjective

ˈlīt͟h  ˈlīth 

1

: easily bent : flexible

long lithe stems

2

: light and graceful in movement

lithe dancers

lithely adverb

litheness noun