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.副詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

[verb of motion] + agilely

用法筆記

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

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • slowly

    without speed of thought

  • clumsily

    awkwardly, lacking finesse in handling a situation

文法句型

[verb of thought/speech] + agilely

用法筆記

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

常見錯誤

❌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.