sprightly

adjective

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

Choose the Right Synonym for sprightly

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited.

lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Examples of sprightly in a Sentence

a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores
Recent Examples on the Web Singing the part with sprightly energy and piercing high notes, the mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi, in her Met debut, was joined by a small troupe of prancing dancers in rabbit masks with long, pointy ears. Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Perhaps the most unusual entry in the series, The Castafiore Emerald — a sprightly, witty mystery set in the Belgian countryside of the ’60s — could, in the right hands, become a spectacular film. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 Special credit goes to oboist Margaret Owens and bassoonist Anna Marsh for pulling double-duty with sprightly, skillful recorder playing. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 With an eye for sprightly colors and fun, flirty silhouettes, the star is shaping up to be one of young Hollywood’s freshest red carpet stars to watch. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024 In person, Corrin, who wore a brown suede jacket and black pants, their brown hair sleekly buzzed, was sprightlier, less wary, sliding from shelf to shelf in black flats. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023 Today, they’re often worn during the summer time, in sprightly florals or denim treatments. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2023 The entree is a carnivore’s dream: A beef medallion gets pounded thin and layered with Virginia ham and cheese, an indulgence balanced with a hillock of sprightly greens. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 As Cattrall took in Rousteing’s new assortment of sharp suits and structured dresses, she was drawn to the sprightly collection’s prints and hues. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sprightly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete spright (sprite), alteration of sprite

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprightly was in 1592

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Cite this Entry

“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprightly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sprightly

adjective
spright·​ly ˈsprīt-lē How to pronounce sprightly (audio)
sprightlier; sprightliest
: full of spirit : lively
sprightliness noun
sprightly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sprightly

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