lithe

Also lithe·some

[lahyth]

adjective

lither, lithest 

1. bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible.

   the lithe body of a ballerina.

lithe

/ laɪð /

adjective

1. flexible or supple

Other Word Forms

• litheness noun
• lithely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithe¹

before 900; Middle English lith(e), Old English līthe; cognate with Old Saxon līthi, German lind “mild,” Latin lentus “slow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithe¹

Old English (in the sense: gentle; C15: supple); related to Old High German lindi soft, Latin lentus slow

Example Sentences

Meanwhile Anna and Tess, who’ve been through this before, don’t have much motivation beyond using their lithe young bodies to ride scooters and scarf cheeseburgers.

From Los Angeles Times

In her book, Blouin describes him as a "lithe and elegant" man whose "name was written in letters of gold in the Congo skies".

From BBC

For him, performing his music is its own reward — one reason he sings at close to full power, his voice brawny yet lithe, as his live band test-runs a few tunes behind him.

From Los Angeles Times

Where Wayne’s Batman is lithe and graceful, The Penguin is awkward and rotund; while Wayne is charismatic, the Penguin is a weirdo, a quack.

From Salon

Strong is transformed as Cohn: slack-jawed and dead-eyed but constantly in motion, propelling his lithe, tanned body forward with a driven intensity in business and in pleasure.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agile 
• limber 
• nimble 
• slim 
• supple