lithe

adjective

ˈlīt͟h  ˈlīth 

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

Synonyms

• flexible
• willowy
• plastic
• limber
• lissom
• pliant
• supple
• floppy

Examples of lithe in a Sentence

the lithe body of a dancer

the lithe blade of a fencing foil

Recent Examples on the Web

Miles Mykkanen’s Sam gets to unsheathe his glinting high tenor, and Lauren Snouffer’s 14-year-old Sarah tosses her lithe soprano voice into airborne vaults. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025

There was a trio of lithe Kindle Scribe e-readers that promised snappier interfaces, including the standard Scribe ($430), Scribe With Frontlight ($550), and Scribe Colorsoft ($630). —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025

At first glance, the 100 or so runners might have looked like any of the city’s million other crews: lithe, youngish, tattooed. —Matt Gross, Outside, 9 Sep. 2025

Revisiting a point made here when the lithe receiver was drafted in 2022, New Orleans offered a great opportunity but not high-level football. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lithe

• blithe
• scythe
• tithe
• writhe
• wythe

Kids Definition

lithe

adjective

ˈlīt͟h  ˈlīth 

1

: easily bent : flexible

long lithe stems

2

: light and graceful in movement

lithe dancers

lithely adverb

litheness noun