agility
Americannoun
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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.
His 7-foot wingspan was the best among guards at the NBA combine, and his 38-inch standing vertical and 10.46-second lane agility test ranked first for his position.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2026
At four years old she was playing football in the street with her older brother Jesus, an early education in the game that partly explains the flair, agility and speed she would become known for.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
The benefit of pods is speed, agility and the ability to do more, faster, with fewer resources, said Rob Witoff, head of platform at Coinbase.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
“We view any potential outsized moves as sentiment-driven, not fundamental. At most, it reinforces Moderna’s mRNA platform agility, something already well understood post-COVID.”
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
He is a heavyweight with a welterweight’s spontaneous agility, but his eyes are hooded and lazy.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
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.
