lithe

Also lithe·some

[lahyth]

adjective

lither, lithest 

1. bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible.

   the lithe body of a ballerina.

lithe

/ laɪð /

adjective

1. flexible or supple

Other Word Forms

• lithely adverb
• litheness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithe¹

before 900; Middle English lith(e), Old English līthe; cognate with Old Saxon līthi, German lind “mild,” Latin lentus “slow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithe¹

Old English (in the sense: gentle; C15: supple); related to Old High German lindi soft, Latin lentus slow

Example Sentences

Let me reiterate: In a city obsessed with youth and brimming with lithe fitness instructors in Lululemon-wear and wireless headsets, a 24 Hour Fitness gym has a secret weapon in Delgado.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile Anna and Tess, who’ve been through this before, don’t have much motivation beyond using their lithe young bodies to ride scooters and scarf cheeseburgers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In her book, Blouin describes him as a "lithe and elegant" man whose "name was written in letters of gold in the Congo skies".

Read more on BBC

For him, performing his music is its own reward — one reason he sings at close to full power, his voice brawny yet lithe, as his live band test-runs a few tunes behind him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Where Wayne’s Batman is lithe and graceful, The Penguin is awkward and rotund; while Wayne is charismatic, the Penguin is a weirdo, a quack.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• agile 
• limber 
• nimble 
• slim 
• supple