Agile
A player changes direction before the defender can react. A colleague finds a fresh explanation when the first one fails. Both show quickness with the flexibility to use it.
Learn This WordMeaning
Able to move quickly and easily; able to think, understand, or adapt quickly.
Memory trick
Picture a cat landing lightly and changing direction in a moment. Agile means quick and nimble, whether the movement is physical or mental.
Examples
The agile athlete changed direction without losing speed.
An agile mind can find a new approach when the first explanation fails.
The small team stayed agile by adjusting its plans as customer needs changed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin agilis "nimble, active," from agere "to do, move, drive."
Usage Notes
Describes both quick, controlled movement and flexible thinking. In SSC synonym sets, nimble is a close match; brisk emphasizes energy or speed and does not always imply the coordination or adaptability of agile.
Real-life contexts
Describe movement: "She is remarkably agile on the climbing wall."
Praise thinking: "His agile mind made the discussion lively."
Discuss a team: "We need to stay agile as the requirements change."
Common Mistakes
Agile is not simply fast: it suggests ease, coordination, or adaptability. In software development, Agile also names a family of iterative working approaches. Agility is the noun.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
intermediateRelated Words
Resilient
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions; flexible and adaptable.
Malleable
Easily influenced, shaped, or controlled; able to be hammered or pressed into shape.
Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person; the capacity to place oneself in another's position.