Etymology Map
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Agile

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means able to move quickly and easily

Where does the word "agile" come from? It comes from Latin agilis, passing through French before entering English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
agilis
Latin · ancient
"nimble"
from 'agere', to do or drive
2
Stage 2 of 3
agile
French · 1400s
"quick, nimble"
French 'agile' is attested from the 1300s; English took the noun 'agility' long before the adjective, in the early 1400s
3
Stage 3 of 3
agile
English · 1580s
"nimble"
'agile' software methods date from 2001
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Read the full story

Agile’s story begins in Latin: agilis meant “nimble.” From 'agere', to do or drive. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as agile. French 'agile' is attested from the 1300s; English took the noun 'agility' long before the adjective, in the early 1400s. It reached English by 1580s as agile. 'agile' software methods date from 2001. Today, agile means able to move quickly and easily.