elastic
Americanadjective
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capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded.
an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.
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spontaneously expansive, as gases.
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flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant.
elastic rules and regulations.
- Antonyms:
- unyielding, intolerant, inflexible, rigid
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springing back or rebounding; springy.
He walks with an elastic step.
-
readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant.
an elastic temperament.
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Economics. relatively responsive to change, as to a proportionate increase in demand as the result of a decrease in price.
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Physics. of, relating to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity.
noun
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webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber.
-
something made from this material, as a garter.
adjective
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(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation
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capable of adapting to change
an elastic schedule
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quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant
-
springy or resilient
an elastic walk
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(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously
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physics (of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy
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made of elastic
noun
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tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape
-
something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of elastic
1645–55; < New Latin elasticus expanding spontaneously, equivalent to Greek elast ( ós ) (late variant of elatós ductile, beaten (of metal), derivative of elaúnein, elân beat out, forge) + -icus -ic
Explanation
Elastic is the rubber-based material that resumes its original shape after stretching or compression, and anything described as elastic is flexible. In 1923 American inventor William H Spencer took elastic one step further, creating the elastic band — the Internet of its day for bored office workers seeking amusement. The properties of elastic have long lent themselves to metaphorical use, so that anything or anyone that's capable of adaptation or is flexible in its nature can be termed elastic.
Vocabulary lists containing elastic
"The Constitution"
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Economics
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The Contender
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“God gave me a mother who worked her entire life for me,” said Hernández, who eased on his elastic goofball schtick to exalt immigrant mothers.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
"I searched it and saw videos of kids and adults showing 'how fun it is' to put the toys in the microwave to make them more elastic," she said.
From BBC • May 4, 2026
Oil prices are expected to remain high for years, with previous assumptions of elastic U.S. supply and stability needing revision.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
Lewis established one rhythm after another, each authoritative but also elastic and ever-shifting, often in answer to what one or another musician did.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
“Oh, that’s perfect on you. Now just …” She reaches up and pulls the elastic holding my ponytail out.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
