flexibility

American  

[flek-suh-bil-i-tee] / ˌflɛk səˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

• flexibilities
  plural

1. the ability to bend easily or without breaking.

   The shoe soles are made from elastic materials to provide perfect flexibility.

2. the quality of being easily adapted or of offering many different options.

   This blogging platform is becoming more and more popular because of its flexibility, power, and simplicity.

3. the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.

   Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperflexibility
  noun
• nonflexibility
  noun
• unflexibility
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• flexibilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of flexibility

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin flexibilitāt-, stem of flexibilitās, equivalent to flexibili(s) “pliant, easily bent” + -tās -ty ² ( def. ); see flexible ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does flexibility compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• adaptability vs. flexibility

Explanation

If you twist your body into the shape of a pretzel, you are showing a lot of flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to bend or stretch. Lots of things can have flexibility. Pipe cleaners are designed for flexibility. A piece of software can boast flexibility when it can be used in different ways by different people. If you are really busy with school, sports and activities, your schedule won't have much flexibility. Please don't get fixed on one set idea — show a little flexibility and listen to others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flexibility flexibilities

Reduced flexibility can be an early sign that the heart is beginning to function less effectively.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

The European Commission is set to propose an easing of rules, and banks want to secure as much flexibility as possible under the future changes.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

"He should think about the flexibility he has got within those rules to make investments in the long term."

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

They flagged that consumers will get flexibility through a new leasing program as well as various trade-in offers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

“You have a lot of nerve criticizing my lack of ambition when my flexibility is the only reason the kids have rides to their activities and dinner on their plates every night,” she hissed.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Local government minister Alison McGovern said the government had only agreed to "small additional flexibilities" in the seven areas to ease financial pressure.

From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2026

“Without congressional action to reinstate telemedicine flexibilities, both beneficiaries and providers will continue to face disruptions in access to care, loss of critical services and wasted investments in telehealth infrastructure.”

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026

To win over the staunchest sceptics, Tuesday's talks will cover a range of "flexibilities" for member states, including letting countries count carbon credits purchased to finance projects outside Europe.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2025

These flexibilities have been crucial, and we don't want to take a step backwards when it comes to modernization.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2024

A man might use all the words, of all the languages in all their flexibilities and never tell the whole truth of his own craft.

From Son of Power by Will Levington Comfort

Related Words

• resilience