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

Tall, agile and rangy, the 6-foot-3, 155-pound Van Dellen believes football isn’t even his best sport. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

These qualities create a more agile workforce that’s ready to navigate change and seize new opportunities. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

But the frontier for this capability, many experts say, lies in RPOs by small, agile robotic satellites. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Creating a market mechanism where compatibility is the price of admission forces traditional defense companies to compete with agile startups, ultimately lowering unit costs and guaranteeing better integration for the entire allied enterprise. — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 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