lithe

play

adjective \ ˈlīt͟h , ˈlīth \

Definition of lithe

1 :easily bent or flexed

lithe steel

a lithe vine

2 :characterized by easy flexibility and grace

a lithe dancer

treading with a lithe silent step

; also :athletically slim

the most lithe and graspable of waists
—R. P. Warren

—

lithely

adverb

—

litheness

noun

See lithe defined for English-language learners

See lithe defined for kids

Examples of lithe in a Sentence

the lithe body of a dancer
the lithe blade of a fencing foil

Recent Examples of lithe from the Web

Dimitrov, a lithe Bulgarian, has long been compared to Roger Federer and covers the court with the same ease and seeming effortlessness.

— geoff macdonald, New York Times, "2017 U.S. Open: Players to Watch," 25 Aug. 2017
Martinez is small and lithe, his face brown and sun-creased with a triplet of blue dots tattooed into the skin just below his left eye.

— benjamin preston, Fortune, "A 9-Day Journey Along the Most Controversial Strip of Land in Trump’s America," 24 July 2017
Agile dancers in puffy wigs from a distance look like lithe acrobats.

— maria shine stewart, cleveland.com, "Mercury Theatre Company soars like a bird to impress: Sun Messages," 14 July 2017
Just as a documentary about her husband’s infidelities aired, a lithe and leggy Diana floated into a Serpentine Gallery benefit wearing a body-conscious cocktail dress by Christina Stambolian.

— alexandra gurvitch, Vogue, "Princess Diana Off-Duty: 5 Ways to Get Her Sloane Ranger Style," 1 July 2017
Conductor Andrés Cladera provided lithe direction, and the musicians from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performed superbly in the small pit.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Opera’s ‘Frida’ tinged with emotion, fiery spirit," 24 June 2017
The lithe and lovely Sara Esty, as Lise Dassin, the mysterious shop girl-cum- ballerina, is equally impressive.

— laura demarco, cleveland.com, "Spectacular 'An American in Paris' at Playhouse Square gorgeous ode to art, love and City of Lights (review)," 22 June 2017
At the latest London Fashion Week Men's, now in its fifth year, the trend for lithe, young pretty boys in extravagant garments shows no signs of abating.

— clive martin, CNN, "What does it really mean to be a man?," 15 June 2017
The lithe young man with the stand-up hair ventured into the seats during ‘

— max londberg and timothy finn, kansascity.com, "U2 in KC: a quick look at past shows, plus that music video they made here," 12 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of lithe

Middle English, from Old English līthe gentle; akin to Old High German lindi gentle, Latin lentus slow

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First Known Use: 14th century

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lithe Synonyms

Synonyms

bendy [chiefly British], flexible, limber, lissome (also lissom), willowy, lithesome, pliable, pliant, supple

Antonyms

inflexible, rigid, stiff, stiffened

Related Words

adaptable, ductile, elastic, fluid, kneadable, malleable, modifiable, plastic, variable, yielding; droopy, flaccid, floppy, limp; semiflexible

Near Antonyms

inelastic, nonmalleable, unyielding; breakable, brittle, fragile

LITHE Defined for English Language Learners

lithe

play

adjective

Definition of lithe for English Language Learners

: moving in an easy and graceful way

LITHE Defined for Kids

lithe

play

adjective \ ˈlīt͟h , ˈlīth \

Definition of lithe for Students

:¹limber, supple

But his motions remained lithe and natural, as he moved easily among trees and shade.
—Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins

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