Lithely
adv.energetic, capableliterary
What it means
With supple, controlled, and graceful movement.
Reach for it when describing elegant physical motion in literary prose
The cat moved lithely between the sleeping dogs.
Choose between these
5- everyday
lightly
little force or noise is the visible quality
not when Lightly does not mean flexibly or gracefully.
- everyday
quick sure movement matters
not when Nimbly emphasizes speed and dexterity rather than flowing grace.
- warm
pleasing control is the main impression
not when Gracefully need not imply flexibility.
- professional
agilely
technical ability to change position is central
not when Agilely is awkward and less natural than with agility.
- literary
fluidly
continuous smooth motion deserves emphasis
not when Fluidly can describe machinery or thought without bodily suppleness.
Said against
3- stiffly
- clumsily
- awkwardly
It naturally appears in
3- move lithely
The skater could move lithely through the crowded warm-up area.
- step lithely
She stepped lithely over the fallen branch.
- turn lithely
The dancer turned lithely beneath the raised ribbons.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, adverb, single sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.