agility
Americannoun
-
the power of moving quickly and easily; nimbleness.
exercises demanding agility.
-
the ability to think and draw conclusions quickly; intellectual acuity.
Etymology
Origin of agility
1375–1425; late Middle English agilite < Middle French < Latin agilitās. See agile, -ity
Explanation
Agility is the ability to be quick and graceful. You might have agility on the basketball court or in the courtroom, or even with your gaming remote. The noun agility can be used for both mental and physical skills in speed and grace. Your mental agility might allow you to follow both conversations at once. Or your brother's soccer prowess shows in his physical agility. The word agility does not have to be applied to human abilities, however: "The sailboat's agility in the water made it the perfect craft for racing."
Vocabulary lists containing agility
Physical Education - Introductory
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Physical Education - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers at MIT have now demonstrated a new approach that gives an insect-scale flying robot much greater speed and agility.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
As the Multistrada gets rolling, the clumsiness gives way to a deeply balanced, pin-sharp precision and effortless, lock-to-lock agility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026
She rewards fans with a few of Glinda's signature hair tosses, external and, more importantly, a two-hour show that highlights the incredible agility of the star's voice.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
The question is will Shields train her to rush the passer so he can practice his blocking techniques against someone with agility and a hunger to do anything for biscuits?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
The far door was held open for Lady Lola who folded herself in with a terrible agility.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
