agility
uh-JIL-it-ee
/əˈdʒɪləti/
The ability to move quickly and easily, or to think and understand quickly.
In business, 'organizational agility' refers to how fast a company can pivot in response to market changes.
The story behind the word. The root 'agere' is the same as in 'agent' or 'action.' It describes the state of being constantly 'in motion' or ready to act.
Word relationships
- nimbleness: Nimbleness is more physical; agility is often applied to mental or organizational flexibility.
- rigidity: Inability to change or adapt.
Commonly confused with
- speed: Speed is just moving fast; agility is moving fast while changing direction effectively.
Word family
- agile (adjective): Able to move or think quickly.
Collocations
- business agility
- mental agility
- strategic agility
Example sentences
- "In a rapidly changing market, business agility is more important than sheer size." Discussing market competition.
Memory hook
An 'Agile' person is 'A-Giant' at moving quickly. Agility = Ability to pivot.
When not to use
Don't use it for mere speed; it implies grace and precision as well as quickness.
Fun facts
- 'Agile' is also a specific methodology in software development focused on iterative progress and flexibility.
Related words
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Leadership → Adaptability in Crisis
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Supply Chain Engineering
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Combat Sports & Martial Arts
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Winter & Ice Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Racket & Court Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Gymnastics & Acrobatics
- Pets & Animals (Domestic) → Animal Training & Behavior
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