agile

adjective ag·ile \ ˈa-jəl , -ˌjī(-ə)l \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of agile

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

play \-jə(l)-lē, -ˌjī(l)-lē\ adverb

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Examples of agile in a Sentence

Leopards are very fast and agile.
the expressive movements of agile dancers

Recent Examples of agile from the Web

Hoosiers need someone agile and energetic enough to actually get things done in Congress and support President Trump.

— dave bangert, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Primary 2018: 4th District candidates discuss Trump, other priorities in Q&A," 4 May 2018
Investigators soon developed an outline of their suspect: an agile young man, just under 6 feet tall and with a size 9 shoe, whose tactical precision suggested military or law enforcement experience.

— Anchorage Daily News, "With taunts and guile, the Golden State Killer left a trail of horror," 28 Apr. 2018
Looking at how the music industry has been shifting, new artists have to be innovative, multifaceted and agile with how to strategize their rise through the industry.

— megan armstrong, Billboard, "Meet the Childhood Friends Looking to Gamify the Music Industry With 'World Famous' Mobile App," 27 Apr. 2018
With a 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame — both agile and sturdy — Knorr had the athleticism to succeed, was even-keeled and immediately grew passion for the craft.

— glenn graham, baltimoresun.com, "Quick study on faceoffs, Felix Knorr has Howard boys lacrosse on the rise," 19 Apr. 2018
Small cruisers have a stiffer body, smaller wheels, and a shorter wheelbase that makes them more agile and portable but also less forgiving and more sensitive to bumps and rocks than your average wide-wheeled, springy, 38-inch longboard.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "Boosted's New $750 Electric Skateboard Is Dangerously Buyable," 17 Apr. 2018
Participants should be agile enough to wear snowshoes if warranted.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Glastonbury Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
All technically gifted, agile and fast, this trio was also a lot younger than their defensive predecessors.

— chris scott, CNN, "Manchester City: How Pep Guardiola's team won the Premier League title," 16 Apr. 2018
Hambach is home to 13 of those species, including the Bechstein’s bat and eight other species of bat, two species of toad, the agile frog (Rana dalmatina), and the endangered common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius).

— National Geographic, "Ancient Forest Home of Squatter Communities Is Doomed by Coal," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'agile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of agile

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin agilis, from agere "to drive, be in motion, do, perform" + -ilis ¹-ile — more at agent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year