fleet-footed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleet-footed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is quick and agile, often in the context of running or moving swiftly. Example: "The fleet-footed athlete easily outran all of his competitors in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Most vines are fleet-footed once they get going, and not all demand bright light.

The New York Times - Style

Get moving, fleet-footed Achilles.

Forbes

It's fleet-footed, merciless entertainment.

The New York Times

The film is fleet-footed, merciless entertainment.

The New York Times

Only the fleet-footed will survive.

The Guardian

The fleet-footed passages subside into a trio.

The New York Times

The only survivor is the fleet-footed daughter Joanna.

The New York Times - Books

From the disjointed and ponderous to fleet-footed and coordinated.

The Guardian - Sport

Fleet-footed rivals were better able to reap scale economies from centralised buying and marketing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Scouts are basically snipers, fleet footed and supported by camo suits.

The Guardian - Tech

OFT was certainly rarely described as "fleet footed".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleet-footed" to describe someone or something that moves quickly and gracefully, often in sports or competitive situations. It can also describe a company that is agile and responsive to change.

Common error

Avoid using "fleet-footed" to describe abstract concepts that don't involve movement or agility. For example, instead of saying "a fleet-footed argument", opt for "a swift and persuasive argument".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fleet-footed" is as a compound adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as having speed and agility in their movements. Ludwig AI confirms this usability in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fleet-footed" is a compound adjective used to describe someone or something quick and agile, particularly in movement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Sports. While alternatives like "quick-footed" and "swift-footed" exist, "fleet-footed" carries a nuance of gracefulness alongside speed. It's essential to avoid misusing it in purely abstract contexts. It is therefore a versatile term for highlighting agility and responsiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick-footed

Simple synonym replacing "fleet" with "quick", maintaining the core meaning.

swift-footed

Replaces "fleet" with "swift", emphasizing speed and rapidity.

nimble-footed

Emphasizes dexterity and agility in movement.

light-footed

Highlights the lightness and grace of movement.

agile

A more general term emphasizing quickness and flexibility.

rapid

Focuses on the speed of movement, without specifying footwork.

speedy

A common synonym for fast, applicable to various contexts.

quick

A general term for fast or rapid movement.

fast

Simple and direct synonym for speed.

fleet of foot

Rephrases the original expression to emphasize speed, but with more words

FAQs

How can I use "fleet-footed" in a sentence?

You can use "fleet-footed" to describe someone who is quick and agile. For example, "The "fleet-footed" runner easily won the race."

What are some alternatives to "fleet-footed"?

Some alternatives include "quick-footed", "swift-footed", and "nimble-footed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleet-footed" formal or informal?

"Fleet-footed" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in descriptive or narrative writing.

What does "fleet-footed" mean?

"Fleet-footed" means quick and agile in movement, particularly on foot. It implies both speed and gracefulness.