elastic
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.
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.: Compare inelastic (def. 2).
Physics. of, relating to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity.
webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber.
something made from this material, as a garter.
Origin of elastic
1Other words for elastic
Opposites for elastic
Other words from elastic
- e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- non·e·las·tic, adjective
- non·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- sem·i·e·las·tic, adjective
- sem·i·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- su·per·e·las·tic, adjective
- su·per·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- un·e·las·tic, adjective
- un·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use elastic in a sentence
It can hold up to 300 pounds with a thick, elastic foam seat, and dual-wheel casters for a gentle swivel and glide.
Great office chairs to stop the slump and create comfort | PopSci Commerce Team | November 24, 2020 | Popular-ScienceOf 2,900 face shields on hand, fewer than one-third have padding at the forehead and comfortable elastic at the back.
Smallest health providers face biggest problem finding protective gear amid coronavirus surge | Amy Goldstein | November 22, 2020 | Washington PostThe elastic in his jaw has stretched so far that his tongue is hanging out of his mouth.
Someone out there wants to adopt your creepy toys. There’s a matchmaker for that. | Maureen O'Hagan | October 29, 2020 | Washington PostI trim off the excess latex and cut out the eyes, nose, mouth and elastic strap holes.
A fused elastic structure attached to these muscles enables a rapid penetrating movement.
Evolution made mosquitos into stealthy, sensitive vampires | Erica McAlister | October 15, 2020 | Popular-Science
The elastically talented Amy Poehler will likely surprise us one day by winning serious acclaim.
Mrs. Gaunt was walking elastically, and discoursing with great fire and animation.
In a Gothic vault the infilling, or web, rested elastically on the diagonal ribs.
How France Built Her Cathedrals | Elizabeth Boyle O'ReillyHe began to listen curiously to the splash of the oars as they marked time and the boat rode the waves elastically.
The Ordeal | Charles Egbert CraddockHe turned sideways and slipped his bulk through the aperture, the board swinging elastically back into place.
The Ordeal | Charles Egbert CraddockIt might have been these, elastically yielding, that had saved the lifeboat from total ruin.
West Of The Sun | Edgar Pangborn
British Dictionary definitions for elastic
/ (ɪˈlæstɪk) /
(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
tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape
mainly US and Canadian something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter
Origin of elastic
1Derived forms of elastic
- elastically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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