flex

[ fleks ]

/ flɛks /

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See synonyms for: flex / flexed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to bend, as a part of the body: He flexed his arms to show off his muscles.

to tighten (a muscle) by contraction.

to demonstrate (one’s ability, expertise, etc.): She’s flexed her marketing skills for various clients in the publishing industry.

Slang. to boast or brag about; flaunt: He’s just not into flexing his success.

verb (used without object)

to bend.

Slang. to boast or brag; show off: In his rap lyrics he flexes about his fancy lifestyle.

noun

the act of flexing.

Slang. a boast or brag: It's not a flex, but we have the best burgers here.

British.

any flexible, insulated electric cord; an electric cord or extension cord.
Slang. an elastic band, as a garter.

Mathematics. an inflection point.

Verb Phrases

flex on, Slang. to brag or show off to; assert one’s dominance or superiority over: She’s flexing on her haters by posting new photos of her beautiful family.

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Origin of flex

First recorded in 1515–25; (adjective) from Latin flexus, past participle of flectere “to bend, turn”; (noun) from Latin flexus act of bending, equivalent to flect(ere) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Other definitions for flex (2 of 3)

flex²

[ fleks ]

/ flɛks /

adjective

Informal. flexible: a flex program of workers' benefits.

Origin of flex

Shortening of flexible

Other definitions for flex (3 of 3)

flex-

a combining form representing flexible in compound words: flextime.

Also flexi-.

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

How to use flex in a sentence

Companies like Delta, Apple, and Nike flex their political muscle on behalf of gay rights.
Corporations Are No Longer Silent on LGBT Issues||December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When it comes to tangible gifts, the sharing economy really starts to flex its holiday disrupting muscle.
One of a Kind Gifts Are Only a Neighbor Away|Lawrence Ferber|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He flipped the two women onto their stomachs, flex-cuffing their wrists.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You wear a FitBit Flex, Jawbone Up, or Nike Fuel Band on your wrist, and go about your normal day.
Self-Tracking for N00bz|Jamie Todd Rubin|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Unlike Bond, constantly thwarting Soviet villains, Burlington never got a chance to flex its muscle.
Britain’s Nuke-Proof Underground City|Nina Strochlic|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She saw again the splendid flex of his side and powerful thigh.
Wayside Courtships|Hamlin Garland
He picked it up and flexed it a bit, as a man might flex a rapier to test its material.
Islands of Space|John W Campbell
The Wall Street man lifted one of the hands, tried to flex the arm that held it.
The Onslaught from Rigel|Fletcher Pratt
A few airy flex-strung bridges had been completed to link them, but there was still an extensive boat traffic.
The Sensitive Man|Poul William Anderson
He paused long enough to flex a presentable bicep with pardonable pride.
The Honorable Percival|Alice Hegan Rice

British Dictionary definitions for flex

flex

/ (flɛks) /

noun

British a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mainsUS and Canadian name: cord

informal flexibility or pliability

verb

to bend or be benthe flexed his arm; his arm flexed

to contract (a muscle) or (of a muscle) to contract

(intr) to work according to flexitime

to test or display (one's authority or strength)

Word Origin for flex

C16: from Latin flexus bent, winding, from flectere to bend, bow

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 flex

flex

[ flĕks ]

To bend.

To contract a muscle.

To move a joint so that the parts it connects approach each other.

flex

Origin of flex

Other definitions for flex (2 of 3)

Origin of flex

Other definitions for flex (3 of 3)

Words related to flex

How to use flex in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flex

Word Origin for flex

Medical definitions for flex