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Definition of sprightly
sprightlier
;sprightliest
sprightliness
nounsprightly
adverbIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
sprightly was our Word of the Day on 03/04/2015. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of sprightly in a Sentence
a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores
Recent Examples of sprightly from the Web
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This method gives the 4.2% ABV beer a solid blended base offering subtle oak notes from the old beer and the fresh, sprightlier characteristics from the new.
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That’s a challenge for the new Q5, a tidy little SUV that doesn’t stand out despite sprightly performance and good fuel economy.
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Sprightly seniors — some sporting canes — trudged along the trail and a small grounds crew mowed the grassy fields in preparation for a bustling afternoon of youth sports.
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The new Scientific American MIND will still bring you insightful, sprightly stories from both researchers who are experts in their fields and award-winning science journalists.
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Strauss uses fresh herbs to infuse drinks with fresh, sprightly character.
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The affable, soft-spoken Ax, though not a flamboyant performer, projected those qualities which keep Mozart fresh: fleet technique in near constant motion, a playful response to the orchestra, and sprightly melodies.
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The fire god Loge (Russell Thomas, sounding bronzed and burnished and wanting just a touch more viciousness) isn’t the usual sprightly trickster, but wry and thoughtful.
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The friendship of George and Harold is celebrated, and the cheery vocal work of Hart and Middleditch gives the picture its sprightly spirit.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sprightly'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Sprightly comes from spright, an archaic version of the word we now use for an elf or fairy: sprite. Ariel from 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 that word is believed to be of Scandinavian origin.
Origin and Etymology of sprightly
obsolete spright (sprite), alteration of sprite
Synonym Discussion of sprightly
SPRIGHTLY Defined for English Language Learners
sprightly
playDefinition of sprightly for English Language Learners
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: full of life and energy
SPRIGHTLY Defined for Kids
Learn More about sprightly
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See words that rhyme with sprightly Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sprightly Spanish Central: Translation of sprightly Nglish: Translation of sprightly for Spanish speakers
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