flexibility

American  

[flek-suh-bil-i-tee] / ˌflɛk səˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

flexibilities plural

1. the ability to bend easily or without breaking.

   The shoe soles are made from elastic materials to provide perfect flexibility.

2. the quality of being easily adapted or of offering many different options.

   This blogging platform is becoming more and more popular because of its flexibility, power, and simplicity.

3. the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.

   Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperflexibility
  noun
• nonflexibility
  noun
• unflexibility
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• flexibilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of flexibility

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin flexibilitāt-, stem of flexibilitās, equivalent to flexibili(s) “pliant, easily bent” + -tās -ty ² ( def. ); see flexible ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does flexibility compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• adaptability vs. flexibility

Explanation

If you twist your body into the shape of a pretzel, you are showing a lot of flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to bend or stretch. Lots of things can have flexibility. Pipe cleaners are designed for flexibility. A piece of software can boast flexibility when it can be used in different ways by different people. If you are really busy with school, sports and activities, your schedule won't have much flexibility. Please don't get fixed on one set idea — show a little flexibility and listen to others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flexibility flexibilities

Meeting these challenges requires first increasing flexibility, and only then investing in expensive infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

“We felt that, if he’s inactive, it gives it a good chance to get all the inflammation out, the soreness out, the pain, increase flexibility, all of it,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

Now the commission is expected to propose greater flexibility for industry, with conditions.

From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026

It adds: "Local authorities and academies set their own term dates, not the government, so they already have the flexibility to change the length of holidays if that is something teachers and parents want."

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

“You have a lot of nerve criticizing my lack of ambition when my flexibility is the only reason the kids have rides to their activities and dinner on their plates every night,” she hissed.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

“Without congressional action to reinstate telemedicine flexibilities, both beneficiaries and providers will continue to face disruptions in access to care, loss of critical services and wasted investments in telehealth infrastructure.”

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026

But in 2026, those flexibilities will vanish unless Congress acts.

From Salon ● Dec. 25, 2025

To win over the staunchest sceptics, Tuesday's talks will cover a range of "flexibilities" for member states, including letting countries count carbon credits purchased to finance projects outside Europe.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2025

Louise Haigh said she will look at "flexibilities", but insisted that "the mandate will not be weakened".

From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2024

A man might use all the words, of all the languages in all their flexibilities and never tell the whole truth of his own craft.

From Son of Power by Comfort, Will Levington

Related Words

• resilience