nimble

[nim-buhl]

adjective

nimbler, nimblest 

1. quick and light in movement; moving with ease; agile; active; rapid.

   nimble feet.

   Synonyms: spry, sprightly, brisk, lively
   Antonyms: ungainly, clumsy

2. quick to understand, think, devise, etc..

   a nimble mind.

   Synonyms: keen, sharp, quick-witted

3. cleverly contrived.

   a story with a nimble plot.

nimble

/ ˈnɪmbəl /

adjective

1. agile, quick, and neat in movement

   nimble fingers

2. alert; acute

   a nimble intellect

Other Word Forms

• nimbleness noun
• nimbly adverb
• unnimble adjective
• unnimbleness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nimble¹

First recorded before 1000; late Middle English nymel, earlier nemel, Old English nǣmel “capable,” equivalent to nǣm- (variant stem of niman “to take”; nim ¹ ) + -el -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of nimble¹

Old English nǣmel quick to grasp, and numol quick at seizing, both from niman to take

Example Sentences

To succeed, a political campaign generally needs specific, clear and easy-to-grasp goals, and a nimble strategy where benchmarks can be set and progress charted.

From Salon

Yet despite his government's nimble response and Seychelles' remarkably swift economic bounce-back, his popularity teeters.

From BBC

Not nimble enough, not impassioned, is the message.

From BBC

That nimble footwork would serve her well in her ultimate calling as a rugby player, but it was not until 2018 that she took up the game, as a 15-year-old.

From BBC

It would be important, however, that his triumphant fusion of South American folk roots and nimble electronic beats is not relegated to the Alternative field.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adept 
• adroit 
• agile 
• bright 
• deft 
• lithe 
• lively 
• quick 
• skillful 
• swift