nimble
adjective

- quick and exact either in movement or thoughts

nimbleness
noun

nimbly
adverb

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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Ask any Brit or American what comes to mind when they hear the word nimble and they will likely sing you the following nursery rhyme:

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over,
The candlestick.

Others may be familiar with another version that singer Don McLean incorporated into his huge hit American Pie:

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend.

In the original version, being nimble enough to jump over the candlestick is apparently a reference to an old form of fortune telling. It was said good luck could be brought by clearing a candle without extinguishing the flame.

The word nimble stems from the Old English "nemel" (quick to grasp), which is related to "niman" (to take), which in turns has its roots in the Proto-Germanic "nemanan" (cognate with the German "nehmen" - to take).

Nimble can be used in the literal sense of being physically agile, as well as in a more figurative sense of being quick to think and act.

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SYNONYMS

agile, lithe, sprightly, acrobatic, light-footed, nimble-footed, light, light on one's feet, fleet-footed, spry, lively, active, quick, quick-moving, graceful, supple, limber, lissom, flexible, skilful, deft, dexterous, adroit; informalnippy, zippy, twinkle-toed, fleet, lightsome

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Practice OWAD in a conversation today, say something like:

"Companies need to be NIMBLE enough to react to market changes."