flexible

[flek-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent.

   a flexible ruler.

   Synonyms: supple, elastic, pliable
   Antonyms: stiff

2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable.

   a flexible schedule.

   Synonyms: compliant, tractable
   Antonyms: rigid

3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable.

   a flexible personality.

noun

1. a flexible substance or material, as rubber or leather.

flexible

/ ˈflɛksɪbəl /

adjective

1. Also: flexile. able to be bent easily without breaking; pliable

2. adaptable or variable

   flexible working hours

3. able to be persuaded easily; tractable

Other Word Forms

• flexibility noun
• flexibleness noun
• flexibly adverb
• hyperflexible adjective
• hyperflexibleness noun
• hyperflexibly adverb
• nonflexible adjective
• nonflexibleness noun
• nonflexibly adverb
• unflexible adjective
• unflexibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flexible¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin flexibilis “pliant, easily bent”; flex ¹, -ible

Synonym Study

Flexible, limber, pliant refer to that which bends easily. Flexible refers to that which is capable of being bent and adds sometimes the idea of compressibility or expansibility: a flexible piece of rubber hose. Limber is especially applied to the body to refer to ease of movement; it resembles flexible except that there is an idea of even greater ease in bending: a limber dancer. Pliant stresses an inherent quality or tendency to bend that does not require force or pressure from the outside; it may mean merely adaptable or may have a derogatory sense: a pliant character.

Example Sentences

Dan says his flexible operation can offer premium pizza at accessible prices, and that Pizza Hut struggled because it could not keep up with new customer habits.

Read more on BBC

It is unlikely that other countries can catch up in 50 years in part because the U.S. legal and regulatory frameworks are more flexible and receptive to change.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It also leads to potentially more flexible and lucrative career paths.”

Read more on MarketWatch

They discovered that new AT2 cells remain flexible for about one to two weeks after birth before they permanently adopt their specialized identity.

Read more on Science Daily

The carrier advised customers to check the statuses of their flights before departing for the airport and said a flexible travel policy is in place for affected customers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• malleable 
• soft