agilely

IPA/ˈædʒ.aɪl.li/
IPA/ˈædʒ.əl.i/

agilely — adverb

1. moving your body with speed and smooth control, making changes of direction look

1.adverbB2
Definition

moving your body with speed and smooth control, making changes of direction look effortless

Example

Defne leaped agilely from one boulder to the next as she crossed the mountain trail.

leap + agilely — verb of sudden upward motion

The cat jumped agilely onto the high shelf, knocking over a vase.

Common collocations
  • leap agilely
  • jump agilely
  • climb agilely
  • dodge agilely
  • weave agilely
  • move agilely
Synonyms
  • nimbly

    more common for everyday quick, light movements

  • lithely

    emphasises suppleness and bending of the body

  • gracefully

    focuses on elegance rather than speed

  • deftly

    usually describes skilled hand movements, not whole-body motion

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[verb of motion] + agilely

Usage Note

Commonly pairs with verbs describing physical movement such as leap, jump, climb, dodge, and weave.

Common Mistakes

He ran agilely to the bus stop.
He ran quickly to the bus stop.
'agilely' is about smooth, controlled movement with changes of direction, not just speed in a straight line.
She moved agilely across the room.
She moved nimbly across the room.
'nimbly' and 'agilely' can overlap, but 'nimbly' is more common for everyday light movement; 'agilely' suggests athletic control.

2. handling problems, conversations, or intellectual tasks with quick, clever think

2.adverbB2
Definition

handling problems, conversations, or intellectual tasks with quick, clever thinking and the ability to adapt instantly

Example

Samir argued agilely, countering each opponent's point with fresh evidence before the judge could intervene.

argue + agilely — quick intellectual back-and-forth

Nkechi navigated agilely through the complex tax regulations to find a loophole for her client.

Common collocations
  • argue agilely
  • respond agilely
  • adapt agilely
  • switch agilely
  • navigate agilely
Synonyms
  • cleverly

    focuses on intelligence rather than speed of adaptation

  • shrewdly

    adds a note of practical cunning or good judgment

  • deftly

    suggests skill in handling a delicate situation

  • nimbly

    can be used figuratively for quick mental shifts

Antonyms
  • slowly

    without speed of thought

  • clumsily

    awkwardly, lacking finesse in handling a situation

Grammar Patterns

[verb of thought/speech] + agilely

Usage Note

Often describes skill in debate, negotiation, or problem-solving where mental speed and flexibility are equally important.

Common Mistakes

She solved the puzzle agilely.
She solved the puzzle cleverly.
'agilely' implies speed AND adaptability, not just intelligence; 'cleverly' works better for a single correct answer.
He studied agilely for the exam.
He studied efficiently for the exam.
'agilely' does not describe ordinary study; it is best reserved for fast-paced, interactive thinking.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four adverbs share the idea of controlled movement but differ in nuance. 'Nimbly' is the closest everyday synonym for 'agilely' and can be used for both physical and mental quickness, but it tends to suggest smaller, lighter movements (e.g. 'nimbly stepping over a puddle'). 'Lithely' emphasises suppleness and bending of the body, making it a better fit for activities like gymnastics or dancing where flexibility matters. 'Gracefully' foregrounds elegance and beauty of motion over speed — a dancer may move gracefully but slowly, whereas 'agilely' always carries a sense of speed. 'Deftly' applies most naturally to skilled use of the hands or tools, such as 'deftly carving a piece of wood', and only rarely describes whole-body motion. For a runner weaving through obstacles, 'nimbly' or 'agilely' would be the natural choices.

nimbly ↗lithelygracefully ↗deftly ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'agile' (borrowed through French from Latin 'agilis', meaning quick-moving, from the verb 'agere' — to do, drive, or keep in motion) plus the common English adverb suffix '-ly', which turns adjectives into manner adverbs. The figurative sense — mental quickness rather than physical speed — appeared in English around the 17th century.

First known use

1663

1663, in the meaning defined above