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.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when rapid movement on the feet is specifically meant
Careful The phrase is narrow and can evoke sport rather than daily vitality.
everyday
Fits when visible energy matters more than physical dexterity
Careful A lively person may be loud or animated without being nimble.
warm
Fits when light, quick movement or adjustment is central
Careful Nimble applies at any age and may describe thought or organizations.
professional
Fits when fast controlled changes of position are the ability
Careful Agility is technical and lacks spry's cheerful liveliness.
formal
Fits when sustained strength and energy deserve emphasis
Careful Vigor may be forceful and lacks spry's light quickness.
literary
Fits when cheerful lightness suits elevated description
Careful Sprightly can sound quaint and is also often age-coded.
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.
Keep in mind
Spry is often applied to older people. Avoid making ordinary mobility sound surprising or treating physical ability as moral worth.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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