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

The story of how a second-generation entrepreneur built a category challenger by burning every boat is a master class in family business, vertical integration, and the discipline of staying agile at a thousand employees. —Dave Knox, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

This executive conversation will explore the forces redefining modern retail and how leading organizations are building more agile, intelligent and connected operating models to drive sales and boost margins. —Sj Studio, Footwear News, 10 June 2026

And then there are those paws which, despite a lack of opposable thumbs, are remarkably agile. —Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 10 June 2026

Visiting North Korea gives Xi another chance to show himself as an agile powerbroker able to engage a diverse cast of leaders, from the chief of the world’s most powerful democracy to an autocrat with a sanctions-defying weapons regime. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 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