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lissome

adjective
lis·​some | \ ˈli-sÉ™m How to pronounce lissome (audio) \
variants: or less commonly lissom

Definition of lissome

1a : easily flexed
b : lithe sense 2
2 : nimble
Other Words from lissome Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about lissome

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Other Words from lissome

lissomely adverb
lissomeness noun

Did You Know?

Lissome (sometimes spelled "lissom") is a gently altered form of its synonym, "lithesome." While "lissome" tends to be the more popular choice these days, the two words have similar pasts. They both appeared in the second half of the 18th century, and they both trace back to the much older "lithe" ("supple" or "graceful"), which first appeared in English during the 14th century and comes from an Old English word meaning "gentle." "Lissome" can also be an adverb meaning "in a supple or nimble manner," but this use is rare.

Examples of lissome in a Sentence

the lissome actress's dance training is apparent in the way she moves on stage rattan is such a lissome material that it can be used for all manner of furniture and baskets

Recent Examples on the Web

 One of my more luminous memories of that odd year, 1974, was a dance performed in Central Park in New York by three long and lissome non-pregnant maidens in white gauze gym suits. — Charles Mccabe, San Francisco Chronicle, "Motherhood???, Charles McCabe, 1975," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lissome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lissome

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for lissome

alteration of lithesome

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More Definitions for lissome

lissome

adjective
How to pronounce lissome (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lissome

: thin and graceful

See the full definition for lissome in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on lissome

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lissome

Spanish Central: Translation of lissome

Nglish: Translation of lissome for Spanish Speakers

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