light-footedness

Moving without sound

Light-footedness is the quality of moving with nimble, graceful steps—walking or running in a way that seems almost weightless.

The term applies literally to dancers and athletes, and figuratively to anything handled with delicacy or agility: The essay's light-footedness kept heavy topics from becoming dreary.

stealth

silent

Producing no sound

noiselessProducing no sound
soundlessProducing no audible noise
quietLacking in sound

hushed · sneaking · prowling · tiptoe · padding · creeping · furtive · stealthy · undetected · ghostlike

grace

elegant

Gracefully refined, tasteful

poisedCalm and controlled
fluidSubstance that flows
balleticResembling choreographed dance

delicate · gentle · ethereal · airy · gliding · willowy · refined · artistic · harmonious · effortless

agility

nimble

Quick and light-moving

quickMoving with speed
dexterousPhysically skilled, agile
fleetVehicles under unified command

swift · sprightly · spry · athletic · acrobatic · gymnastic · lithe · supple · mobile · flexible

Opposites

physical grace and coordination

light-footednessclumsiness

Lack of physical grace

gracelessness · ungainliness · awkwardness · inelegance · gawkiness

weight and impact of movement

light-footednessheaviness

State of being weighty

plodding · stomping · clomping · lumbering · ponderousness

agility and quickness

light-footednesssluggishness

State of slow movement

slowness · lethargy · torpor · immobility · stiffness

Family

light, foot, lightly, lighten, lighter, footing, footprint, lightness, footed

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G