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agility

uh-JIL-ih-tee /əˈdʒɪl.ə.ti/

nounB2IELTSTOEFLSAT

BusinessGeneral

The ability to move quickly and easily; in supply chain, the ability to respond rapidly to changes in demand or supply.

Agility is different from speed; it is the ability to change direction or strategy quickly, not just move fast in one direction.

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'agilis,' meaning 'nimble' or 'active,' which comes from 'agere' (to do, act, or drive). It has always carried the sense of being ready for action.

Word relationships

nimbleness: Nimbleness often refers to physical movement; agility is more common in business and strategy.
adaptability: Adaptability is the capacity to change; agility is the speed and ease with which that change happens.

inertia: Inertia is the tendency to remain unchanged, the opposite of agility.

Commonly confused with

flexibility: Flexibility is being able to bend; agility is being able to move and react.

Word family

agile (adjective): Able to move quickly and easily.

Collocations

business agility
mental agility
strategic agility
operational agility

Example sentences

"Supply chain agility is the ability to respond rapidly to changes in demand, both in terms of volume and variety." Defining modern supply chain requirements.
"The company's agility allowed it to pivot from selling hardware to providing software services in just three months." Describing a successful startup.

Memory hook

An 'agile' cat can jump and turn in mid-air; an 'agile' business can change its whole plan in a week. Quick to pivot.

When not to use

Don't use it for simple physical speed (like a bullet); use it for nimbleness or adaptability.

Fun facts

In software development, 'Agile' is a specific methodology that prioritizes iterative progress and flexible response to change.