Spry
adj.energetic, resilientwarm
What it means
Lively, quick, and physically agile, often despite advanced age.
Reach for it when praising demonstrated nimbleness without expressing surprise that an older person can move well
The spry gardener climbed the orchard ladder with practiced care.
Choose between these
6- playful
when rapid movement on the feet is specifically meant
not when The phrase is narrow and can evoke sport rather than daily vitality.
- everyday
when visible energy matters more than physical dexterity
not when A lively person may be loud or animated without being nimble.
- warm
when light, quick movement or adjustment is central
not when Nimble applies at any age and may describe thought or organizations.
- professional
when fast controlled changes of position are the ability
not when Agility is technical and lacks spry's cheerful liveliness.
- formal
when sustained strength and energy deserve emphasis
not when Vigor may be forceful and lacks spry's light quickness.
- literary
when cheerful lightness suits elevated description
not when Sprightly can sound quaint and is also often age-coded.
Said against
3- sluggish
- lethargic
- infirm
It naturally appears in
3- spry and active
At eighty, he remained spry and active without ignoring his limits.
- remarkably spry
The remarkably spry terrier still cleared the low garden gate.
- stay spry
Balance practice helped the dancers stay spry between performances.
Where this comes from
Spry is often applied to older people. Avoid making ordinary mobility sound surprising or treating physical ability as moral worth.
- wiktionary, English adjective, active and nimble 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.