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nimbly

nimbly

4 4.0
Move quickly and lightly in a way that shows skill
  • adverb
  • /ˈnɪmbli/
translation icon : ágilmente
  • The gymnast moved nimbly across the balance beam, demonstrating her incredible skill.
  • move nimbly

Examples

  • Jack leaps nimbly from rooftop to rooftop, merrily delivering presents, blissfully unaware of the havoc he is creating.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Frank lunged for the watch, but Spot hopped nimbly off the nightstand and raced out the bedroom door.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • During the general election, he moved quickly and nimbly towards the center.

    Blog text (11)
  • And then, nimbly, before my very eyes, they begin to absorb the new concept.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • As needs require, he shifts nimbly among policies.

    Academic text (1991)
  • One man jumped nimbly aside, checking his grip on the war club.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Yeah?" Phillip stepped nimbly onto the dock.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Tone, topic, and rhythm move rapidly as Wilde touches nimbly upon one thought after another.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Then the Grinch, very nimbly stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney.

  • As he stood there, sizing her up, she got onto her hands and knees and scrambled nimbly toward him.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

agilely
vsnimbly
4.0

Move quickly and lightly with skill and control

focuses more on smooth ease and practiced skill than control
lightsomely
vsnimbly
  • Archaic
9.3

In a quick, gentle way that looks graceful

highlights ease and quickness rather than graceful elegance
limberly
vsnimbly
4.8

Moving easily with a body that bends well

emphasizes speed and lightness rather than bodily flexibility

Antonyms

38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

How Agile

expertly
19 3.4
skillfully
22 3.2
nimbly
4 4.0
deftly
19 4.8
clumsily
12 2.8

Surface Forms

nimbly positive

Morphology

nimbly = nimble (transparent) = nimble + ly

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'nimble', so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Nimbly comes from the old English word nimble, which meant 'quick' or 'light on the feet', so imagine a cat or gymnast moving easily. So, to move nimbly is to move quickly and with smooth skill.