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

• graceful

Examples of agile in a Sentence

Leopards are very fast and agile.

the expressive movements of agile dancers

Recent Examples on the Web

Execution And Iteration Finally, AI systems can now translate product requirements into agile software feature tickets complete with user stories and comprehensive unit tests. —Dr. Brian Scott Glassman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

It's designed to be agile, enable quicker decision making and prepare the company for its future, where software and hardware are more intermingled than in the previous century. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025

This forms the company of an agile structure. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025

As volatility could return to the FX market, finance chiefs will need to stay agile and proactive. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 25 Aug. 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