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

Washington’s youth is proving to be an asset in this transitional moment for the broader domestic wine industry, allowing winemakers here to be agile and innovative, much like the tech companies just across the Cascades in Seattle, as Matt Austin of Grosgrain puts it. —Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

This keeps our team agile, engaged and prepared for whatever’s next. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025

On May 13, the automaker revealed the Re:Nissan plan, a pathway forward to enhance performance and create a leaner, more agile business. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

But those firms that emerged unscathed are lean and technologically agile, and infused with the necessary moxie to thrive. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 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