lithe
adjective
ˈlīt͟h 
ˈlīth
ˈlīth 1
: easily bent or flexed
lithe steel
a lithe vine
2
: characterized by easy flexibility and grace
a lithe dancer
treading with a lithe silent step
also : athletically slim
the most lithe and graspable of waists 
R. P. Warren
R. P. Warren lithely adverb
litheness noun
Synonyms
- bendy [chiefly British]
- flexible
- limber
- lissome
- lissom
- lithesome
- pliable
- pliant
- supple
- willowy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the lithe body of a dancer the lithe blade of a fencing foil
Recent Examples on the Web But what do these two lithe fashion fanatics actually talk about? Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 The urgency in his lithe delivery makes every one of his songs—even the loose, turn-up joints—feel like a motivational come-up credo. Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2022 His lyrics are laced with confessions, casual asides, and ad copy, all floating over the sleek piano strains (Michael Omartian, Greg Phillinganes) and lithe guitar lines (Derringer, Larry Carlton). Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Aug. 2022 The lithe lefty is a stand-up guy, credit him for that. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 My hair laughs at those lithe, spaghetti-thin hair elastics. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2022 Actor Timothée Chalamet has been spotted with a lithe Jaeger-LeCoultre of late. Marshall Heyman, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 While this was certainly a less likely environment for a large SUV than a lithe supercar, the Performante felt impressively agile considering its weight and size—and markedly more so than the standard Urus. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2022 Gray has a lithe voice that simultaneously possesses the intensity of Shawn Mendes and the sweetness of Carly Rae Jepsen, a potent combination that adds both anguish and romanticism to his music. Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2022 See More
Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 The urgency in his lithe delivery makes every one of his songs—even the loose, turn-up joints—feel like a motivational come-up credo. Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2022 His lyrics are laced with confessions, casual asides, and ad copy, all floating over the sleek piano strains (Michael Omartian, Greg Phillinganes) and lithe guitar lines (Derringer, Larry Carlton). Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Aug. 2022 The lithe lefty is a stand-up guy, credit him for that. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 My hair laughs at those lithe, spaghetti-thin hair elastics. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2022 Actor Timothée Chalamet has been spotted with a lithe Jaeger-LeCoultre of late. Marshall Heyman, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 While this was certainly a less likely environment for a large SUV than a lithe supercar, the Performante felt impressively agile considering its weight and size—and markedly more so than the standard Urus. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2022 Gray has a lithe voice that simultaneously possesses the intensity of Shawn Mendes and the sweetness of Carly Rae Jepsen, a potent combination that adds both anguish and romanticism to his music. Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English līthe gentle; akin to Old High German lindi gentle, Latin lentus slow
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
lithe
adjective
ˈlīt͟h
ˈlīth
: limber entry 1, supple
But his motions remained lithe and natural, as he moved easily among trees and shade. Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Great
Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Greatlithe
adjective
1
as in flexible
able to bend easily without breaking the lithe blade of a fencing foil Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flexible
- willowy
- limber
- lithesome
- lissome
- lissom
- supple
- plastic
- pliant
- floppy
- bendy
- pliable
- adaptable
- yielding
- ductile
- modifiable
- limp
- malleable
- fluid
- elastic
- variable
- flaccid
- droopy
- kneadable
- semiflexible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rigid
- stiff
- inflexible
- stiffened
- unyielding
- fragile
- brittle
- inelastic
- breakable
- nonmalleable
2
as in graceful
moving easily lithe dancers glided across the stage Synonyms & Similar Words
- graceful
- agile
- lithesome
- lissome
- spry
- nimble
- lissom
- gracile
- balletic
- feline
- light-footed
- featly
- lightsome
- limber
- supple
- pliant
- light
- acrobatic
- athletic
- light-foot
- dexterous
- flexible
- adroit
- pliable
- deft
- loose-jointed
- dextrous
- fleet-footed
- coordinated
- sure-footed
- light-fingered
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gawky
- ungainly
- lumbering
- clumsy
- awkward
- ungraceful
- graceless
- rigid
- uncoordinated
- klutzy
- stiff
- inflexible
- inept
- maladroit
- bungling
3
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat she has the lithe, sinewy body of a distance runner Synonyms & Similar Words
- slender
- skinny
- thin
- lean
- bony
- slim
- svelte
- gaunt
- angular
- skeletal
- boney
- wiry
- trim
- willowy
- haggard
- fatless
- sinewy
- lanky
- scrawny
- spare
- sylphlike
- reedy
- rawboned
- spindly
- rangy
- lank
- twiggy
- clean-limbed
- weedy
- emaciated
- wizened
- scraggy
- anorexic
- waspish
- stringy
- cadaverous
- puny
- anorectic
- spindling
- meager
- pinched
- slight
- meagre
- anoretic
- wasted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- plump
- rotund
- stocky
- chubby
- corpulent
- portly
- fleshy
- fat
- beefy
- tubby
- burly
- obese
- stout
- overweight
- chunky
- heavyset
- thick
- thickset
- brawny
- bulky
- husky
- heavy
- weighty
- pudgy
- gross
- stubby
- dumpy
- paunchy
- squat
- buxom
- flabby
- soft
- potbellied
- zaftig
- full
- roly-poly
- round
- hippy
- zoftig