Agile
adjective /ˈædʒaɪl/ — Able to move and adapt quickly as things change.
Definition
Able to move quickly and easily; in business, a philosophy of iterative development and rapid adaptation to change rather than rigid long-term planning.
Beyond the definition
Agile emerged from software development but became a whole philosophy of work: test fast, learn fast, adapt. The opposite of the plan that becomes sacred when it should be discarded. Agile organisations look different — less hierarchy, more iteration.
Origin & history
From Latin agilis — quick to move (agere 'to do, to drive'). The software Agile Manifesto was published in 2001 and transformed how teams work.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The team was agile enough to turn a disaster into a feature within forty-eight hours.
An agile strategy isn't weak — it's honest about what we don't yet know.
Agile doesn't mean no plan. It means the plan serves the goal, not the other way around.
Synonyms
flexible, adaptive, nimble, responsive, iterative
Antonyms
rigid, inflexible, slow-moving
Related words
Agile vs flexible
Agile emphasizes the ability to move and adapt quickly, especially in response to changing circumstances. Flexible suggests the ability to bend or adjust, but it does not necessarily imply the speed or reactivity of being agile.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Chef preparing vegetables with precision
A chef at a stainless steel station works with sharp, precise movements, maintaining a 'mise-en-place' efficiency.
The chef’s ability to move precisely and maintain order while constantly adapting their actions demonstrates the philosophy of iterative, quick response to the needs of the kitchen.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration