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

On the other hand, the adviser’s perspective is that there are simply too many moving parts today, and that flexibility will likely produce better decisions as circumstances unfold.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

“As the delay lengthens, financing costs, integration risk, transaction expenses and lost strategic flexibility become increasingly tangible,” said Barak Orbach, a law and business professor at the University of Arizona.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

In the longer term, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which Greer tapped to impose the latest duties, provides "more flexibility than people realize," Majerus said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Although a possession-based coach, Alonso has shown the flexibility and intelligence to look for solutions against man-to-man pressure.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

“Back in my office taking a most restful nap. What began as flexibility became detachability once I touched the Crystal Ball those many years ago.”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

“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

But in 2026, those flexibilities will vanish unless Congress acts.

From Salon ● Dec. 25, 2025

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

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2025

Under the regulation, there are several extensions and flexibilities for certain types of buildings and uses.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 15, 2023

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 Comfort, Will Levington

Related Words

• resilience