elastic

[ ih-las-tik ]

/ ɪˈlæs tɪk /

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See synonyms for: elastic / elastics on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

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.

rubber band.

OTHER WORDS FOR elastic

3 resilient, pliant.

See synonyms for elastic on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR elastic

3 rigid, inflexible, intolerant, unyielding.

See antonyms for elastic on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM elastic

e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·e·las·tic, adjectivenon·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbsem·i·e·las·tic, adjective

sem·i·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·e·las·tic, adjectivesu·per·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·e·las·tic, adjectiveun·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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-Science
Of 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 Post
The 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 Post
I trim off the excess latex and cut out the eyes, nose, mouth and elastic strap holes.
Making Halloween Masks That Don’t Suck|Eugene Robinson|October 16, 2020|Ozy

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.
The Stars Predict Your Week|Starsky + Cox|September 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Gaunt was walking elastically, and discoursing with great fire and animation.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 103, May, 1866|Various
In a Gothic vault the infilling, or web, rested elastically on the diagonal ribs.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
He 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 Craddock
He turned sideways and slipped his bulk through the aperture, the board swinging elastically back into place.
The Ordeal|Charles Egbert Craddock
It 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

elastic

/ (ɪˈlæstɪk) /

adjective

(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation

capable of adapting to changean elastic schedule

quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant

springy or resilientan 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

mainly US and Canadian something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter

Derived forms of elastic

elastically, adverb

Word Origin for elastic

C17: from New Latin elasticus impulsive, from Greek elastikos, from elaunein to beat, drive

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

Medical definitions for elastic

elastic

[ ĭ-lăs′tĭk ]

adj.

Having the property of returning to the original shape after being distorted.

elastic

OTHER WORDS FOR elastic

OPPOSITES FOR elastic

Origin of elastic

OTHER WORDS FROM elastic

Words related to elastic

How to use elastic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for elastic

Derived forms of elastic

Word Origin for elastic

Medical definitions for elastic