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

It’s an interesting finding and shows a greater emphasis on flexibility, resilience and diversification in their reserve management operations, according to Fan.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

This flexibility allowed them to create a wide variety of unusual motional quantum states using the same trapped-ion system.

From Science Daily • Jun. 15, 2026

The workout builds strength and flexibility while improving balance and coordination, said instructor Leah Gutentag, who’s been a lifeguard and swim instructor for the city of Santa Monica for about 12 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

The search for the ideal office design has produced a rotating cast of answers—open floors for collaboration, private rooms for focus, hot desks for flexibility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

This class was an elective, so there was flexibility in the roster—we weren’t all in the same grade; Leilani and Shauna, for example, were juniors.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

Related Words

• resilience