Word
nimble
Phoneticsnim·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɪmbəɫ/
UK/nˈɪmbəl/
Definitions
01physical agility
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. able to move quickly and easily with light steps.
adj. quick and light in movement or action; possessing physical agility and coordination.
“The nimble cat jumped from the fence to the narrow roof without falling.”
“The mountain goats were incredibly nimble, navigating the sheer rock faces with a speed that seemed to defy gravity.”
Synonyms
02manual dexterity
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having fingers that move quickly and carefully to do difficult work.
adj. possessing manual dexterity; able to perform delicate or complex tasks with the hands quickly and accurately.
“You need nimble fingers to fix the tiny parts inside a watch.”
“Her nimble fingers flew across the piano keys, executing the complex concerto with effortless precision and grace.”
Antonyms
03mental quickness
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. able to think, learn, or answer very quickly.
adj. quick-witted and alert; possessing a mind capable of rapid comprehension or clever response.
“She has a nimble mind and always finds a solution to tricky problems.”
“A nimble negotiator can anticipate an opponent's objections and pivot the conversation before a deadlock occurs.”
Real-World Examples
“Tuchel selected Kobbie Mainoo, who is nimble in tight areas, but then did not use the Manchester United midfielder.” Etymology
From Middle English nymyl, nemel, nemyll, nymell (“agile, quick, ready, able, capable”), merger of Old English nǣmel (“receptive, quick to grasp”) and Old English numol (“able to take, capable of holding”), both from niman (“to take”) + -el, -ol (associative suffix), corresponding to nim + -le. Compare German nehmen, Gothic 𐌽𐌹𐌼𐌰𐌽 (niman), Old Norse nema (“to take”). More at nim.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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