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Sprightly comes from spright, an archaic version of the word we now use for an elf or fairy: sprite. Ariel from William Shakespeare's The Tempest and the leprechaun of Irish mythology are often referred to as sprites, and it's no coincidence that both are characterized by their light, flitting movements and mannerisms. Sprite derives via Middle English and Old French from the Latin spiritus, which of course gives us spirit as well. A similar-looking adjective that can describe someone who is nimble and energetic is spry, but the origin of that word is not known.
Examples of sprightly in a Sentence
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Johnson, a sprightly man with a bright Midwestern accent, wore a hat with the logo of his employer, the U.S. Geological Survey, which conducts much of the G.L.F.C.’s research.
—Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Pick from an assortment of delicious recipes doled out by a roster of sprightly locals, from apple strudel to Sacher-style chocolate gâteaux.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
An asteroid the size of a skyscraper is approaching Earth at a sprightly 24,136 miles per hour—and will be at its closest to us in two days' time.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprightly. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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