flex

[ fleks ]

/ flɛks /

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See synonyms for: flex / flexed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to bend, as a part of the body: He flexed his arms to show off his muscles.

to tighten (a muscle) by contraction.

to demonstrate (one’s ability, expertise, etc.): She’s flexed her marketing skills for various clients in the publishing industry.

Slang. to boast or brag about; flaunt: He’s just not into flexing his success.

verb (used without object)

to bend.

Slang. to boast or brag; show off: In his rap lyrics he flexes about his fancy lifestyle.

noun

the act of flexing.

Slang. a boast or brag: It's not a flex, but we have the best burgers here.

British.

any flexible, insulated electric cord; an electric cord or extension cord.
Slang. an elastic band, as a garter.

Mathematics. an inflection point.

Verb Phrases

flex on, Slang. to brag or show off to; assert one’s dominance or superiority over: She’s flexing on her haters by posting new photos of her beautiful family.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of flex

First recorded in 1515–25; (adjective) from Latin flexus, past participle of flectere “to bend, turn”; (noun) from Latin flexus act of bending, equivalent to flect(ere) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Other definitions for flex (2 of 3)

flex²

[ fleks ]

/ flɛks /

adjective

Informal. flexible: a flex program of workers' benefits.

Origin of flex

Shortening of flexible

Other definitions for flex (3 of 3)

flex-

a combining form representing flexible in compound words: flextime.

Also flexi-.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use flex in a sentence

A colugo may be able to flex those muscles to change the shape and stiffness of its patagium and thereby adjust its aerodynamics midair.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops|Yao-Hua Law|November 20, 2020|Science News
For, now, though no such ex ante regulation exists — and the coalition argues the Commission needs to pull its finger out and flex its existing antitrust powers to stop Google’s market abuse before its too late for their businesses.
Act now before Google kills us, 135-strong coalition of startups warns EU antitrust chief|Natasha Lomas|November 12, 2020|TechCrunch
Thanks to Beltology’s signature flex, the Litmus gives you room for waistline expansion.
Cozy, Fashionable Layers for the Man in Your Life|Gabriela Aoun and Joe Jackson|November 10, 2020|Outside Online
Even though the supervisors control the budget, Gore controls the department’s daily operations and over the summer he flexed some bureaucratic muscle.
Welcome to a Dem-Controlled County|Jesse Marx and Maya Srikrishnan|November 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Our favorite, the Trail, is an all-purpose composite snowshoe that comes in 23- and 26-inch sizes and flexes gently as you walk.
The Best Snowshoes of 2021|Whitney Spivey|October 26, 2020|Outside Online
The tech industry, it seems, is flexing its political muscle more than ever before.
We Need to Talk About Silicon Valley's Racism|Samantha Allen|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since Putin began flexing his muscles in the Crimea last fall, the ruble has lost 10 percent of its value against the dollar.
Flex Muscle Spending Has Left Putin’s Russia in an Economic Freeze Frame|Daniel Gross|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Secondly, U.S. Secretary of State Kerry has recently pushed the Arab League towards flexing its intransigent position on borders.
The Arab Peace Initiative Makes Its Way to the Knesset|Tal Harris|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Already in 2013 there have been multiple instances of Golden Dawn flexing their newly founded popularity.
Golden Dawn Continues Its Message of Hate|Ilana Glazer|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In practice, the frequency of employees telecommuting and flexing their time is low.
Yahoo’s Work-From-Home Ban a Bigger Blow to Men|Ellen Galinsky|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Barring a little stiffness, which he removed by flexing and tensing his muscles, he felt very strong and capable.
The Hosts of the Air|Joseph A. Altsheler
Their green antenna rose above the water, a curious forest of luminous tentacles, flexing, wavering.
Astounding Stories, April, 1931|Various
Flexing it—which would happen if they let the asteroid precess at will—would soon fatigue even that heavy bolt.
Thin Edge|Gordon Randall Garrett
The end platform moved in an arc, flexing the finger tip from straight to about seventy degrees.
Highways in Hiding|George Oliver Smith
The flexing or bending of an aerofoil out of its normal shape.
The Theory and Practice of Model Aeroplaning|V. E. Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for flex

flex

/ (flɛks) /

noun

British a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mainsUS and Canadian name: cord

informal flexibility or pliability

verb

to bend or be benthe flexed his arm; his arm flexed

to contract (a muscle) or (of a muscle) to contract

(intr) to work according to flexitime

to test or display (one's authority or strength)

Word Origin for flex

C16: from Latin flexus bent, winding, from flectere to bend, bow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for flex

flex

[ flĕks ]

To bend.

To contract a muscle.

To move a joint so that the parts it connects approach each other.

flex

Origin of flex

Other definitions for flex (2 of 3)

Origin of flex

Other definitions for flex (3 of 3)

Words related to flex

How to use flex in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flex

Word Origin for flex

Medical definitions for flex