ˈajə̇l, US also & Brit usually ˈaˌjīl or -īəl adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin agilis, from agere to move, act + -ilis -ile — more at agent
1. : characterized by ready ability to move quickly and easily with suppleness and grace
as bright-eyed and agile as the hares and slim gazelles — Elinor Wylie
2. : characterized by quickness or liveliness of mind, resourcefulness, or adaptability in coping with new and varied situations
the work of a … sympathetic intelligence, agile , humane, and … persuasive — A.D.Culler
Synonyms:
nimble , brisk , spry : agile suggests ease in quick motion along with smooth coordination and dexterous performance of sudden or difficult actions
I saw her bounding down the rocky slope like some wild, agile creature possessed of padded hoofs and an infallible instinct — W.H.Hudson
Silver, agile as a monkey, even without leg or crutch, was on the top of him next moment — R.L.Stevenson
Applied to mental or intellectual matters it suggests ready adaptability and ability to change and adjust
in a flow of racy comment, skimming from one topic to another with an agile irrelevance — Rose Macaulay
nimble stresses lightness and ease of sudden physical motion and suggests ability to dart, dash, or skip; applied to matters mental it suggests quick comprehension and ready responsiveness to change
out ran the two maidens, their frocks flying, nimble feet scudding over the springy turf — Mary Webb
the mind and the body have in this respect a striking resemblance of each other. In childhood they are both nimble, but not strong; they can skip and frisk about with wonderful agility — William Cowper
brisk suggests lively energetic activity or vivacity; it often applies to manner or attitude rather than physical capability or dexterity
a brisk wind sending small white clouds scudding across the vast East Anglian sky — Osbert Lancaster
that brisk, managing, lively, imperious woman — W.M.Thackeray
spry indicates an ability for quick easy activity, especially among the old or infirm in whom such ability may be unexpected
I'm a little lame, I ain't as spry as I used to be — J.K.Jerome
poor Canon Bonnyboat could only limp … whereas Reverend Mother was still as spry as a sparrow — Bruce Marshall