sprightly

adjective

spright·​ly ˈsprīt-lē 

sprightlier; sprightliest

1

: marked by a gay lightness and vivacity : spirited

a sprightly musical

2

: having a distinctively piquant taste : zesty

a sprightly salsa

sprightliness noun

sprightly adverb

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• lively
• energetic
• animated
• brisk
• active
• animate

Choose the Right Synonym for sprightly

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited.

lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

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 on the Web

Eventually, the movement realized that using the old instruments in sprightly, imaginative and contemporary ways instead made the music sound newly vital, and even more so when the staging was startlingly up to date. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025

Plus, nearby, do check out the Nice Pam Hotel as well—a more youthful and modern offering designed in sprightly shades of pastels. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025

The award-winning writer was best known for her sprightly tales starring such anthropomorphic characters as sibling pigs and a gang of mice. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025

The moments in which the camera captures her toned form and her sprightly movements are exciting and impressive. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete spright (sprite), alteration of sprite

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sprightly

• brightly
• knightly
• lightly
• nightly
• rightly
• sightly
• slightly
• tightly
• whitely
• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely

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Kids Definition

sprightly

adjective

spright·​ly ˈsprīt-lē 

sprightlier; sprightliest

: full of spirit : lively

sprightliness noun

sprightly adverb