flex

¹

[fleks]

verb (used with object)

1. to bend, as a part of the body.

   He flexed his arms to show off his muscles.

2. to tighten (a muscle) by contraction.

3. to demonstrate (one’s ability, expertise, etc.).

   She’s flexed her marketing skills for various clients in the publishing industry.

4. Slang.,  to boast or brag about; flaunt.

   He’s just not into flexing his success.

verb (used without object)

1. to bend.

2. Slang.,  to boast or brag; show off.

   In his rap lyrics he flexes about his fancy lifestyle.

noun

1. the act of flexing.

2. Slang.,  a boast or brag.

   It's not a flex, but we have the best burgers here.

3. British.

   1. any flexible, insulated electric cord; an electric cord or extension cord.

   2. Slang.,  an elastic band, as a garter.

4. Mathematics.,  an inflection point.

verb phrase

1. flex on,  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.

flex

²

[fleks]

adjective

1. Informal.,  flexible.

   a flex program of workers' benefits.

flex-

³

Also flexi-.

1. a combining form representing flexible in compound words.

   flextime.

flex

/ flɛks /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: cord. a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mains

2. informal,  flexibility or pliability

verb

1. to bend or be bent

   he flexed his arm

   his arm flexed

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

3. (intr) to work according to flexitime

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flex¹

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

Origin of flex²

Shortening of flexible

Word History and Origins

Origin of flex¹

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

Example Sentences

Karen's body had been tied at the wrists using electrical flex and a plastic bag was still over her head.

Read more on BBC

The controls are the latest from Beijing to flex China’s global dominance of supply chains, especially for cutting-edge industries and defense systems.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Typically, the main benefit is employee retention: Workers who can flex and upskill across an organization are less likely to leave for those opportunities, he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"And also that you listened to me. It was like, you really know me. I didn't know what I would want, but he did somehow. And that's kind of a flex."

Read more on BBC

The tensions come as the Google-owned television service flexes its market muscle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lean 
• tighten 
• tilt 

When To Use

What else does flex mean?

Flex is a slang term meaning "to show off," whether it be your physique, your belongings, or some other thing you consider superior to those of others. The act of flexing is often criticized as a power move, considered arrogant and insincere.