sprightly

adjective

spright·ly ˈsprīt-lē How to pronounce sprightly (audio)

sprightlier; sprightliest

: marked by a gay lightness and vivacity : spirited

a sprightly musical

: having a distinctively piquant taste : zesty

a sprightly salsa

sprightliness noun

sprightly adverb

Did you know?

Sprightly comes from spright, an archaic version of the word we now use for an elf or fairy: sprite. Ariel from William Shakespeare's The Tempest and the leprechaun of Irish mythology are often referred to as sprites, and it's no coincidence that both are characterized by their light, flitting movements and mannerisms. Sprite derives via Middle English and Old French from the Latin spiritus, which of course gives us spirit as well. A similar-looking adjective that can describe someone who is nimble and energetic is spry, but the origin of that word is not known.

Example Sentences

a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores

Recent Examples on the Web But the sprightly nature of the tunes and arrangements means the melancholy of the words is only part of the story.

Mark Richardson, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 But where the original glides along a smooth, deep-house concourse, Koze provides a slightly choppy piano-house beat that feels brighter, sprightly and warm.

Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2022 As Pruitt peeled open a can of Friskies, Popcorn was suddenly sprightly.

Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2022 That’s relatively svelte by modern standards and will make for an agile, sprightly tank.

Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 14 June 2022 In the sprightly shade, Middleton proved a summery color can look seasonally appropriate in the fall, especially when paired with a black turtleneck, black belt, and navy suede pumps, which helped ground the look.

Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2021 The younger version of Leia, Luke’s twin sister, makes a sprightly appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi, thankfully played by a real actor, a delightful Vivien Lyra Blair.

Grace Segers, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 But none of this sitting-around stuff for this sprightly 58-year-old.

Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2022 At the sound of the sprightly steel drum opening, Lido Pimienta lit up with a playful grin and started vocalizing.

Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	sprightliness
释义	sprightly adjective spright·ly ˈsprīt-lē sprightlier; sprightliest 1 : marked by a gay lightness and vivacity : spirited a sprightly musical 2 : having a distinctively piquant taste : zesty a sprightly salsa sprightliness noun sprightly adverb Did you know? Sprightly comes from spright, an archaic version of the word we now use for an elf or fairy: sprite. Ariel from William Shakespeare's The Tempest and the leprechaun of Irish mythology are often referred to as sprites, and it's no coincidence that both are characterized by their light, flitting movements and mannerisms. Sprite derives via Middle English and Old French from the Latin spiritus, which of course gives us spirit as well. A similar-looking adjective that can describe someone who is nimble and energetic is spry, but the origin of that word is not known. Synonyms active airy animate animated bouncing brisk energetic frisky gay jaunty jazzy kinetic lively mettlesome peppy perky pert pizzazzy pizazzy racy snappy spanking sparky spirited springy vital vivacious zippy See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores Recent Examples on the Web But the sprightly nature of the tunes and arrangements means the melancholy of the words is only part of the story. Mark Richardson, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 But where the original glides along a smooth, deep-house concourse, Koze provides a slightly choppy piano-house beat that feels brighter, sprightly and warm. Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2022 As Pruitt peeled open a can of Friskies, Popcorn was suddenly sprightly. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2022 That’s relatively svelte by modern standards and will make for an agile, sprightly tank. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 14 June 2022 In the sprightly shade, Middleton proved a summery color can look seasonally appropriate in the fall, especially when paired with a black turtleneck, black belt, and navy suede pumps, which helped ground the look. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2021 The younger version of Leia, Luke’s twin sister, makes a sprightly appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi, thankfully played by a real actor, a delightful Vivien Lyra Blair. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 But none of this sitting-around stuff for this sprightly 58-year-old. Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2022 At the sound of the sprightly steel drum opening, Lido Pimienta lit up with a playful grin and started vocalizing. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology obsolete spright (sprite), alteration of sprite First Known Use 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition sprightly adjective spright·ly ˈsprīt-lē sprightlier; sprightliest : full of spirit : lively sprightliness noun as in vigorousness the quality or state of having abundant or intense activity the sprightliness of the young girl made us tired just watching her Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance vigorousness exuberance briskness lustiness liveliness vitality cheerfulness peppiness brightness jazziness vibrancy robustness animation vivacity vibrance enthusiasm spirit buoyancy spiritedness vivaciousness springiness jauntiness pizzazz ebullience effervescence friskiness verve playfulness chirpiness pertness cheer eagerness sparkle pizazz impishness ebulliency keenness Antonyms & Near Antonyms inactivity indolence lifelessness laziness anemia languor lethargy weariness torpidity sluggishness dulness listlessness impassivity dullness sleepiness torpor languidness bloodlessness apathy limpness tedium tediousness spiritlessness vapidity vapidness pallidness See More
随便看	unperched unperches unperching unpercipient unperfect unperforate unperforated unperformable unperformed unperforming unperilous unperishable unperished unperishing unperjured unpermanent unpermissive unpermissivenesses unpermitted unperplex unperplexed unperplexes unperplexing unperson unpersons

sprightly

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun