What does agility mean?
Agility is a noun describing the ability to move quickly, easily, and gracefully — whether physically, mentally, or organizationally. Its most familiar sense refers to physical nimbleness, as seen in athletes, dancers, or animals that can change direction smoothly and react fast. A second common sense applies to the mind: mental agility denotes quickness and sharpness of thought, the ability to solve problems or shift ideas fluidly. In recent decades, agility has also gained currency in business and technology, where it describes an organisation's capacity to adapt rapidly to changing conditions; this usage is closely tied to the rise of 'agile' methodologies in software development. Derived from the Latin agilis, meaning easy to move, via French agilité, the word entered English around the fifteenth century. It consistently carries positive connotations of skill, speed, and responsiveness.
nounThe ability to move quickly and easily with grace and coordination. More broadly, the capacity to adapt or respond swiftly and effectively to changing circumstances.
- Physical nimbleness: the quality of moving quickly, easily, and gracefully.
- Mental quickness: sharpness and speed of thought or understanding.
- Adaptability (esp. business/organizational): the ability of an organization to respond rapidly and flexibly to change.
"The gymnast's agility on the balance beam left the audience in awe."
"Her agility on the tennis court allowed her to reach shots most players would miss."
"The startup's agility helped it pivot quickly when market conditions changed."
Rarely used; the plural appears mainly in technical or historical contexts.
"The training regimen tested a range of physical agilities."
The word 'agility' comes from Latin agilis — meaning quick and easy to move — the same root that gives us 'agile' and even 'act'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of agility
Agility derives from the Latin agilis, meaning quick, nimble, or easy to move, itself from agere, 'to drive or act'. It entered English via Old French agilité, with early attested use in English from the late Middle Ages. Cognates include the adjective agile and related words such as agitate and act, all tracing back to the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How agility is actually used
Agility is used across physical, mental, and organizational contexts. In modern business language it has taken on a specialized sense relating to responsiveness and flexibility, often appearing in terms like 'agile methodology.' The word carries a positive connotation throughout.
Easily confused with agility
Mobility refers simply to being able to move or be moved, while agility implies moving quickly, gracefully, and with ease.