flexibility
Americannoun
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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.
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the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.
Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Medical solutions like IVF and egg freezing, along with policies for workplace flexibility and childcare, are discussed to address declining fertility.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
Such flexibility could improve coverage, strengthen reliability, and increase operational efficiency.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
According to UBS’s industry checks, enterprise AI budgets are shifting toward hyperscalers because customers want the flexibility of a third-party platform to try different models.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
That suggests Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson will both be needed in the XI with their seam bowling and power-hitting capabilities, while Edwards emphasised the need for flexibility in the batting line-up.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 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
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.
