Sprightly, a. [Compar. Sprightlier; superl. Sprightliest.]
Etymology: [See Sprite.]
Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for sprightly; he lists it under active, airy, happy, nimble.
Where he writes about it:
Sprightly, spiritlike, refers to light, free, cheerful activity of mind and body. — from airy
Synonyms
activeairyhappynimbleaerialagilealertanimatedblessedblissfulblitheblithesomebrightbriskbuoyantbustlingbusycheerfulcheeringcheerydelighteddelightfuldexterousdiligentenergeticetherealexpeditiousfairylikefelicitousfortunatefrolicsomegaygladindustriousjocundjollyjoyfuljoyouslightlivelyluckymerrymirthfulmobileofficiouspleasedpromptprosperousquickrapturousreadyrejoicedrejoicingrestlesssmilingspeedysprysuccessfulsunnysuppleswiftvigorouswide awake