elastic
Americanadjective
-
capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded.
an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.
-
spontaneously expansive, as gases.
-
flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant.
elastic rules and regulations.
- Antonyms:
- unyielding, intolerant, inflexible, rigid
-
springing back or rebounding; springy.
He walks with an elastic step.
-
readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant.
an elastic temperament.
-
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
-
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
-
(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation
-
capable of adapting to change
an elastic schedule
-
quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant
-
springy or resilient
an elastic walk
-
(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously
-
physics (of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy
-
made of elastic
noun
-
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
- elastically adverb
- nonelastic adjective
- nonelastically adverb
- semielastic adjective
- semielastically adverb
- superelastic adjective
- superelastically adverb
- unelastic adjective
- unelastically adverb
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
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.
Observing fracture in liquids that are still fully in their liquid state shows that breaking is not limited to elastic materials.
From Science Daily
“Oh, that’s perfect on you. Now just …” She reaches up and pulls the elastic holding my ponytail out.
From Literature
"Missile range is an elastic thing - in that if you put a lighter warhead on a missile, you can extend its range," he told the BBC.
From BBC
Exercises using elastic bands, bodyweight movements, or simple at home routines can still produce measurable gains in strength, muscle size, and daily function.
From Science Daily
Instead of melting, the rubber became strong and elastic.
From Science Daily
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.
