flexibility

American  

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

noun

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

• hyperflexibility noun
• nonflexibility noun
• unflexibility noun

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

Gig work offers drivers the freedom to work for themselves and more flexibility, but being independent contractors also means they must shoulder unexpected costs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

She added it remained "perfectly reasonable" to book overseas holidays, but stressed the key was to prioritise consumer protection and trip flexibility.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The product’s flexibility has become one of Factory’s selling points to enterprise customers, which currently include Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young and Palo Alto Networks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Maintaining liquidity and flexibility — particularly in the first decade or so of retirement when your “sequence-of-returns” risk is high — can be more valuable than eliminating debt.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

They were sick of my pleas for more dietary flexibility.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Related Words

• resilience