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

“We saw a lot of flexibility and margins of adjustment that would have been hard to predict,” Koeva Brooks said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

With a huge surplus of commercial space sitting fallow in the area, the flexibility and creativity of club music might be a natural fit to repopulate the area with foot traffic and revelers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

Typically, those employers are offering flexibility to all of their workers, not just caregivers, according to Resendez.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 7, 2026

While some industries like manufacturing and retail were less able to provide flexibility, others offered bleary-eyed fans later starts so they can catch up on sleep.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

Some top-ranked managers went out of their way to keep the most productive women on the job by giving them the flexibility they needed to take care of their families.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• resilience