adjective

spry

SPRY/spraɪ/

Nimble and energetic, especially despite old age.

The spry older man skips rope with lively coordination.

An older man lightly skips rope, showing lively coordination and energy despite his age.

Etymology

Spry may shorten sprightly, “full of spirit or vigor,” or come from a Scandinavian source meaning “brisk, active.” Its earlier uses emphasized nimble movement, such as leaping or dashing.

In context

Beyond the Crucible by Warwick Fairfax5:13

my father who was 72 and spry and energetic dropped dead

Nancy Koehn Pt 1: Harvard Business School Professor's Personal Crucibles Fueled Her Best-Seller #25

More examples

Our spry old dog still chases squirrels around the yard.
Daily walks help him stay spry.
She is spryer than many people half her age.

Forms

spry · spryer · spryest · sprier · spriest

spryly adverb — In a nimble and energetic way.

spryness noun — The quality of being nimble and energetic.

Similar words

nimble: Emphasizes quick, light movement rather than energy despite age.
agile: Emphasizes ease in bending and changing direction, not age.
lively: Emphasizes high energy or enthusiasm, not necessarily nimble movement.