Nimble | Definition of nimble by Merriam-Webster

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

First Known Use: 14th century

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

Rhymes with NIMBLE

cymbal, gimbal, symbol, thimble, timbale, Trimble, tymbal, wimble

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>

Learn More About NIMBLE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "nimble"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "nimble"

Nglish: Translation of "nimble" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "nimble" for Arabic speakers

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