lithe

[ lahyth ]

adjective

, lith·er, lith·est.

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

   the lithe body of a ballerina.

lithe

/ laɪð /

adjective

1. flexible or supple

Derived Forms

• ˈlitheness, noun
• ˈlithely, adverb

Other Words From

• lithely adverb
• litheness noun

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

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

I wouldn’t say I look like those lithe young women who surround me there — most are so young that I could be their mother — but a taut core has developed beneath my midriff bulge.

From Los Angeles Times

His constant furtive glances keep us questioning who this lithe young lad really is, to others and especially to himself.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agile
• limber
• nimble
• slim
• supple