First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
nimble
adjective nim·ble \ˈnim-bəl\
: able to move quickly, easily, and lightly
: able to learn and understand things quickly and easily
nim·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ nim·blest \-b(ə-)ləst\
Full Definition of NIMBLE
1
: quick and light in motion : agile <nimble fingers>
2
a : marked by quick, alert, clever conception, comprehension, or resourcefulness <a nimble mind> b : responsive, sensitive <a nimble listener>
— nim·ble·ness \-bəl-nəs\ noun
— nim·bly \-blē\ adverb
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Origin of NIMBLE
Middle English nimel, from Old English numol holding much, from niman to take; akin to Old High German neman to take, Greek nemein to distribute, manage, nomos pasture, nomos usage, custom, law
Related to NIMBLE
- Synonyms
- alert, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, exceptional, fast, hyperintelligent, keen, intelligent, quick, quick-witted, sharp, sharp-witted, smart, supersmart, ultrasmart
- Antonyms
- airheaded, birdbrained, boneheaded, brain-dead, brainless, bubbleheaded, chuckleheaded, dense, dim, dim-witted, doltish, dopey (also dopy), dorky [slang], dull, dumb, dunderheaded, empty-headed, fatuous, gormless [chiefly British], half-witted, knuckleheaded, lamebrain (or lamebrained), lunkheaded, mindless, obtuse, opaque, pinheaded, senseless, simple, slow, slow-witted, soft, softheaded, stupid, thick, thickheaded, thick-witted, unbrilliant, unintelligent, unsmart, vacuous, weak-minded, witless
NIMBLER Defined for Kids
nimble
adjective nim·ble \ˈnim-bəl\
nim·blernim·blest
Definition of NIMBLE for Kids
1
: quick and light in motion : agile <a nimble dancer>
2
: quick in understanding and learning : clever <a nimble mind>
— nim·ble·ness noun
— nim·bly \-blē\ adverb <Then the vendors had to dodge nimbly to avoid being trampled under the heavy hooves … — Laurence Yep, Dragonwings>
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