1
Core quality
Able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
Example
The agile animal changed direction instantly.
agile
/ˈædʒaɪl/ · AJ-yleadjective
Able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
Use agile to express this relationship precisely: able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
What agile Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
An agile team adapted quickly to the disruption.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Her agile reasoning connected the two findings.
Use agile Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The agile animal changed direction instantly.
An agile team adapted quickly to the disruption.
Her agile reasoning connected the two findings.
Precision Matters
Agile overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
agile
vs.Means able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
torpid
Means inactive, sluggish, or lacking physical or mental energy.
agile
vs.Means able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
turbulent
Means marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
agile
vs.Means able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
persistent
Means continuing firmly or repeatedly over a long period despite difficulty, opposition, or attempts to stop it.
agile
vs.Means able to move quickly and lightly or adapt thought and action rapidly.
adapt
Means modify something for a new purpose or situation, or adjust successfully to changed conditions.
Test agile in Context
It moves quickly, lightly, and flexibly.
1
The small robot proved remarkably ___, navigating narrow passages and turning rapidly.