agilely

Meanings

1. 1adverb

   In a way that shows quick, light, and easy movement of the body.

   Grammar: Used to describe how someone moves; it usually comes after the verb: 'He climbed agilely.'

   Patterns

   • move agilely
   • climb agilely
   • step agilely

   The dancer spun agilely across the stage.

   He agilely avoided the low branch and kept running.

   She climbed agilely over the wall.

2. 2adverb

   In a way that shows quick and clear thinking or a quick response to change.

   Grammar: Used about mental or business actions; it often comes after the verb: 'respond agilely.'

   Patterns

   • respond agilely
   • adapt agilely
   • think agilely

   The company responded agilely to the new rules.

   She agilely changed her plan when the weather turned bad.

   The team adapted agilely to the sudden change.

Common combinations

move agilely

The cat moved agilely through the narrow gap.

respond agilely

The manager responded agilely to the customer's complaint.

adapt agilely

Small businesses can adapt agilely to market changes.

climb agilely

The monkey climbed agilely up the tree.

Synonyms and how they differ

nimbly

Nimbly is more common and often suggests quick, light movements of the hands or feet.

gracefully

Gracefully focuses on smooth, attractive movement rather than speed or quickness.

deftly

Deftly suggests skill and cleverness, especially with the hands, not just physical agility.

Opposites

Word family

agile adjective

Able to move quickly and easily.

agility noun

The ability to move quickly and easily.

Commonly confused: agilely or agile? agilely or fragilely?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “agilely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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