SPRIGHTLY (sprightlier, sprightliest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: sprightlier    , sprightliest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sprightly mean? 

• SPRIGHTLY (adjective)
  The adjective SPRIGHTLY has 1 sense:

1. full of spirit and vitality

  Familiarity information: SPRIGHTLY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPRIGHTLY (adjective)

Comparative: sprightlier   
Superlative: sprightliest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Full of spirit and vitality

Context example:

a sprightly dance

Similar:

spirited (displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness)

Derivation:

sprightliness (animation and energy in action or expression)

 Context examples 

That satisfied her, and without waiting for him to speak, she said, in her sprightly way...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Maud, who had prepared me for disappointment, and who had been sprightly and vivacious all day, broke down as we landed in our own little cove.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“They are sprightly—very sprightly,” Milverton answered.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As Traddles seemed to expect that I should assent to this as a matter of course, I nodded; and he went on, with the same sprightly patience—I can find no better expression—as before.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

If he liked the majestic, she was the very type of majesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

They were both at the mark in an instant, Jim as full of sprightly confidence as ever, and Berks with a fixed grin upon his bull-dog face and a most vicious gleam in the only eye which was of use to him.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

An image of silver fifteen inches high I have vowed to the Virgin, to be placed in her chapel within the Priory, for that she was pleased to allow me to come upon this Spade-beard, who seemed to me from what I have seen of him to be a very sprightly and valiant gentleman.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My aunt said this in a sprightly way, and gave me a kiss to ratify the blessing.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He found nothing to perplex or disappoint, much to admire and approve, for overlooking a few little affectations of speech and manner, she was as sprightly and graceful as ever, with the addition of that indescribable something in dress and bearing which we call elegance.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Me, she had dispensed from joining the group; saying, She regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance; but that until she heard from Bessie, and could discover by her own observation, that I was endeavouring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner—something lighter, franker, more natural, as it were—she really must exclude me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)