agility
uh-JIL-i-tee
/əˈdʒɪləti/
The ability to move quickly and easily, both physically and mentally.
Focuses on the speed of change in direction and the coordination required to remain balanced while moving fast.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'agilis', meaning 'nimble' or 'quick', which stems from 'agere', meaning 'to drive' or 'to do'. It describes a body that is always ready for action.
Word relationships
- nimbleness: Nimbleness often refers to light, quick movements of the feet or fingers, while agility is more whole-bodied.
- lethargy: A lack of energy or slow movement, the opposite of quick agility.
Commonly confused with
- dexterity: Dexterity is usually about hand-eye coordination; agility is about the whole body's movement.
Word family
- agile (adjective): Able to move quickly and easily.
Collocations
- mental agility
- physical agility
- remarkable agility
Example sentences
- "The gymnast's agility allowed her to transition seamlessly between the bars." Sports commentary
- "She moved with the agility of a cat." General usage
Memory hook
Agility is for the 'Agile' athlete who can 'Act' quickly. Quick change of direction.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'speed' alone; agility requires the element of coordination and ease.
Fun facts
- In the business world, 'Agile' is a specific methodology for project management that emphasizes quick adaptation.
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Leadership → Adaptability in Crisis
- Business → Corporate Culture
- 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
- Pets & Animals (Domestic) → Animal Training & Behavior
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