adjective
lithe
LYTHE/laɪð/
Flexible and able to move gracefully.
The lithe gymnast bends gracefully into a controlled side stretch.
Etymology
The older word described softness and gentleness, including mild weather and agreeable people. Its modern physical sense centers on suppleness: bending or moving easily.
In context
the lithe figure on his back, bending like a reed in the wind to every movement
More examples
- A lithe cat slips through the narrow gap.
- Her lithe movements make the difficult routine look easy.
- The swimmer's lithe body twists smoothly through the water.
Forms
lithe · lither · lithest
litheness noun — The quality of moving with graceful flexibility.