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 of agile

• graceful

Examples of agile in a Sentence

Leopards are very fast and agile.

the expressive movements of agile dancers

Recent Examples on the Web

Smaller and more agile, great whites may have been outcompeting megalodon for prey before that prey grew large enough to be worth a megalodon’s energy. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Apart from the ride height, which was set aggressively low and can be adjusted, the Evoluto feels agile and is quick to change direction without an abusive ride. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 17 June 2026

Clark wrote in a recent paper that the Pentagon itself needs to restructure to be more agile. —Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026

Both Stardrum and Shornstein are agile improvisers who each flourish within a particular paradigm, but have largely worked without strict allegiance to genre. —Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

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