flexible

[flek-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent.

   a flexible ruler.

   Synonyms: supple, elastic, pliable
   Antonyms: stiff

2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable.

   a flexible schedule.

   Synonyms: compliant, tractable
   Antonyms: rigid

3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable.

   a flexible personality.

noun

1. a flexible substance or material, as rubber or leather.

flexible

/ ˈflɛksɪbəl /

adjective

1. Also: flexile. able to be bent easily without breaking; pliable

2. adaptable or variable

   flexible working hours

3. able to be persuaded easily; tractable

Other Word Forms

• flexibility noun
• flexibleness noun
• flexibly adverb
• hyperflexible adjective
• hyperflexibleness noun
• hyperflexibly adverb
• nonflexible adjective
• nonflexibleness noun
• nonflexibly adverb
• unflexible adjective
• unflexibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flexible¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin flexibilis “pliant, easily bent”; flex ¹, -ible

Synonym Study

Flexible, limber, pliant refer to that which bends easily. Flexible refers to that which is capable of being bent and adds sometimes the idea of compressibility or expansibility: a flexible piece of rubber hose. Limber is especially applied to the body to refer to ease of movement; it resembles flexible except that there is an idea of even greater ease in bending: a limber dancer. Pliant stresses an inherent quality or tendency to bend that does not require force or pressure from the outside; it may mean merely adaptable or may have a derogatory sense: a pliant character.

Example Sentences

But for many Europeans—and for some lucky Americans like me—European travel offers freedom, flexible and simplicity.

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“Even though I didn’t always continue to practice martial arts, one thing that I did do over the years was continue to stretch and be flexible.”

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Dan says his flexible operation can offer premium pizza at accessible prices, and that Pizza Hut struggled because it could not keep up with new customer habits.

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It is unlikely that other countries can catch up in 50 years in part because the U.S. legal and regulatory frameworks are more flexible and receptive to change.

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“It also leads to potentially more flexible and lucrative career paths.”

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Related Words

• malleable 
• soft