nimbly

[nim-blee]

adverb

1. with quick, light, easy movement.

   Our daughter sits on the ground plucking dandelions, her long brown fingers nimbly weaving them into a chain.

2. in a way that shows quick thinking or understanding, as in making appropriate adjustments, devising or carrying out plans, etc..

   Local governance is often flexible and community based, enabling municipalities to respond to evolving conditions more nimbly than larger and slower-moving state governments.

Other Word Forms

• unnimbly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nimbly¹

nimb(le) ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Mrs. Clarke was not a small woman, nor a young one, but she scurried down the ladder as nimbly as a squirrel.

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The children each nimbly seized a burning candle from one of the lit candelabras and used it to light all the rest, revealing two entirely unexpected sights.

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The children were much better climbers than she was and leaped over nimbly.

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This popemobile is a gas, a great ride that veers nimbly between smart and silly.

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The current rules and biological opinions provide additional flexibility that allows operators of the pumping facilities to the Delta to “respond more nimbly to real-time conditions,” Nemeth said.

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Related Words

• gracefully