flexibility
Americannoun
-
the ability to bend easily or without breaking.
The shoe soles are made from elastic materials to provide perfect flexibility.
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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.
-
the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.
Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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:
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.
Vocabulary lists containing flexibility
Physical Education - Introductory
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Vocabulary from President Trump's First Address to Congress
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Structure and Properties of Matter - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There will be a mechanism to put a brake on any excessive increases - and also flexibility for covering any unexpected costs.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
The deal should also allow the German automaker to reduce the complexity of its structures and strengthen its financial position and flexibility, said Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
The group aims to "reduce the complexity of its structures, streamline its management, strengthen its financial position and increase its financial flexibility", he added.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
A central concept in the paper is what philosophers call "substrate flexibility."
From Science Daily • Jun. 24, 2026
Tsukiko, however, is one of the rare contortionists whose flexibility is equal in both directions.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
