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

His improved health and hip flexibility opened up the avenue for him to return to that timing mechanism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

She said the government would seek to ensure sufficient supplies and gain some regulatory flexibility on refineries.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

Finding a way to pay less for housing provides flexibility for other expenses.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

He said that offered flexibility to those that run the power service.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The Betas would process less material but at higher intensities, leaving less flexibility for loss.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

“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

LNG exporters are already lobbying hard for waivers or other flexibilities.

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2025

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

From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2024

These flexibilities have been crucial, and we don't want to take a step backwards when it comes to modernization.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 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 Will Levington Comfort

Related Words

• resilience