Nimble
'nɪmbəl
Definitions
2 meaningsQuick and light in movement or action; agile.
'nɪmbəl
Moving quickly and lightly; agile.
The nimble dancer wowed the audience with her acrobatic moves.
💡 Simply: Imagine a cat jumping on a fence – that’s nimble! It means being able to move around quickly and easily, like when you're trying to catch a ball or dance!
👶 For kids: Being able to move fast and easy, like a squirrel jumping from branch to branch.
More Examples
The nimble fingers of the surgeon performed the delicate operation.
A nimble athlete can react quickly to changes in the game.
How It's Used
"The gymnast was nimble on the balance beam."
"Her nimble fingers quickly tied the complicated knot."
Characterized by quickness of thought; mentally agile or clever.
'nɪmbəl
Characterized by quickness of thought; clever.
The nimble strategist adapted quickly to the changing political landscape.
💡 Simply: Think of someone who can solve puzzles or come up with clever solutions quickly. That's a nimble mind, meaning their brain is fast and clever!
👶 For kids: Smart and quick at thinking or figuring things out.
More Examples
Her nimble mind could quickly solve complex mathematical problems.
The company's nimble approach allowed them to innovate rapidly.
How It's Used
"The company showed a nimble response to market changes."
"Her nimble mind quickly grasped the solution."
Idioms & expressions
nimble as a fox
Very quick and clever; agile in mind or body.
"The detective was as nimble as a fox, quickly deducing the culprit."
From Middle English *nimel*, from Old English *nimol* ('apt to seize'), from *niman* ('to take'). Related to the word 'take'.
The word 'nimble' has been used since the Middle Ages, initially referring to the ability to quickly take or seize something, and later evolving to describe agility and cleverness.
Memory tip
Think of a ninja: quick and agile.
Word Origin
"apt to take, quick"