Spryness: meaning, definitions and examples

🏃‍♂️

Add to dictionary

spryness

[ˈsprɪnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

physical fitness

The quality of being agile and nimble, especially in terms of physical movements.

Synonyms

agility, nimbleness, quickness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spryness	Often used to describe someone who is lively and full of energy, especially in the context of older individuals who maintain youthful characteristics. Despite being in her seventies, her spryness was impressive as she danced gracefully at the party
agility	Commonly used in sports and fitness contexts to describe physical dexterity and the ability to move quickly and easily. His agility on the soccer field made him one of the team's star players
nimbleness	Usually used to describe the ability to move quickly, lightly, and with ease, often implying mental quickness as well. Her nimbleness allowed her to navigate through the crowded room without spilling a drop of her drink
quickness	General term often used to describe someone’s speed, whether it is physical, mental, or in action. It does not always have a positive context. The quickness of his response caught everyone off guard His quickness to anger was well-known in the office

Examples of usage

He demonstrated great spryness in his gymnastics routine.
Her spryness on the basketball court impressed all the spectators.
The cat's spryness allowed it to easily navigate through the obstacles.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

mental agility

The ability to think and respond quickly and effectively.

Synonyms

agility, quickness, sharpness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spryness	This appears to be a duplicate; refer to the first entry for 'spryness' context and examples.
agility	Used to describe someone or something that moves quickly and easily, often associated with physical or mental skills. The gymnast's agility on the balance beam was astonishing. Mental agility is key to solving complex problems.
sharpness	Often relates to the acuteness of thought, ability to perceive details, or physical precision. Can have a slightly negative connotation if used to describe someone's manner as being too harsh or direct. The sharpness of her observations made it clear she was paying attention. There was a sharpness in his tone that made everyone uneasy.
quickness	Refers to the speed at which someone or something can move or react. It is general and can be applied to both physical actions and responses. The cat's quickness in catching the mouse was impressive. His quickness in responding to customer complaints saved the day.

Examples of usage

His spryness of mind helped him solve the problem in no time.
The team's spryness in adapting to new situations was commendable.
She relied on her spryness to outsmart her opponents.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'spry,' which means quick and lively, and has roots in Middle English and Old Norse.
Originally, 'spry' was used to describe the quick movements of young people but evolved to refer to older people who maintain energy.
Related words like 'sprightly' also emphasize a joyful, light-hearted energy in movement or behavior.

Health and Fitness

Studies have shown that maintaining physical activity throughout life helps to sustain spryness in older age.
Yoga and stretching exercises are often recommended to enhance spryness by improving flexibility and balance.
Regular cardiovascular activities, like walking or cycling, contribute significantly to maintaining a spry disposition.

Psychology

A positive mindset has been linked to greater physical spryness, as optimism can encourage more active lifestyles.
Engaging in social activities often keeps the elderly feeling spry through connection and stimulation.
Mental agility is associated with physical spryness, highlighting the importance of cognitive exercises for overall vitality.

Culture

In literature and film, spryness is often depicted through characters defying age expectations, showcasing humor and agility.
Dance and theatrical performances often celebrate spryness, portraying characters who defy age through lively choreography.
Traditional sayings often celebrate 'staying spry,' implying active lifestyles lead to a happier, longer life.

Literature

Classic novels sometimes feature spry elderly characters, showcasing that age can accompany vitality and cleverness.
Poets use imagery of spryness to evoke feelings of youthfulness, emphasizing the joy of movement and life.
The theme of spryness often appears in stories about overcoming challenges, where characters exhibit resilience through energy.

Translations

Translations of the word "spryness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agilidade

🇮🇳 फुर्ती

🇩🇪 Beweglichkeit

🇮🇩 kelincahan

🇺🇦 жвавість

🇵🇱 zwinność

🇯🇵 機敏さ

🇫🇷 agilité

🇪🇸 agilidad

🇹🇷 çeviklik

🇰🇷 민첩성

🇸🇦 رشاقة

🇨🇿 hbitost

🇸🇰 obratnosť

🇨🇳 灵活性

🇸🇮 gibčnost

🇮🇸 lipurð

🇰🇿 ептілік

🇬🇪 სისწრაფე

🇦🇿 çeviklik

🇲🇽 agilidad

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,051, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.

...
43048 stuffiest
43049 yawner
43050 oinking
43051 spryness
43052 scrummaging
43053 teensiest
43054 misshaping
...