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Lissome: meaning, definitions and examples

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lissome

 

[ ˈlɪs.əm ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

physical quality

Lissome describes someone who is exceptionally graceful, flexible, and agile in movement. This term is often used to portray a person's body that is lithe and can bend or stretch easily. Historically, it applies to dancers or athletes who exhibit a fluidity in their actions. The word suggests elegance and smoothness, highlighting a natural ease in physicality.

Synonyms

agile, graceful, lithe, supple

Examples of usage

  • The lissome dancer captivated the audience.
  • She moved with a lissome grace across the stage.
  • His lissome frame made him an excellent gymnast.

Translations

Translations of the word "lissome" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ágil

🇮🇳 लचीला

🇩🇪 geschmeidig

🇮🇩 lentur

🇺🇦 гнучкий

🇵🇱 giętki

🇯🇵 しなやか (shinayaka)

🇫🇷 souple

🇪🇸 ágil

🇹🇷 esnek

🇰🇷 유연한 (yuyeonhan)

🇸🇦 رشيق (rasheeq)

🇨🇿 pohyblivý

🇸🇰 ohybnosť

🇨🇳 柔韧 (róurèn)

🇸🇮 prožičljiv

🇮🇸 hreyfanlegur

🇰🇿 иілгіш

🇬🇪 მხიალი (mkhi'ali)

🇦🇿 elastik

🇲🇽 ágil

Etymology

The word 'lissome' originated in the late 16th century, deriving from the Middle English term 'lyssom', which meant 'light, nimble, or pliant'. This, in turn, came from the Old English 'līs', meaning 'a certain quality, such as lightness or grace'. The prefix 'lis-' connotes something that is smooth or flowing, while the suffix '-some' implies 'characterized by'. Over time, 'lissome' evolved to describe not just physical traits but also the ease and fluidity of motion, often associated with beauty and elegance. The term has become especially prominent in discussions of dance, athletics, and other forms of performance where gracefulness is key.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,704, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.