flex

¹

[ fleks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bend, as a part of the body:

   He flexed his arms to show off his muscles.

2. to tighten (a muscle) by contraction.
3. to demonstrate (one’s ability, expertise, etc.):

   She’s flexed her marketing skills for various clients in the publishing industry.

4. Slang. to boast or brag about; flaunt:

   He’s just not into flexing his success.

verb (used without object)

1. to bend.
2. Slang. to boast or brag; show off:

   In his rap lyrics he flexes about his fancy lifestyle.

noun

1. the act of flexing.
2. Slang. a boast or brag:

   It's not a flex, but we have the best burgers here.

3. British.
   1. any flexible, insulated electric cord; an electric cord or extension cord.
   2. Slang. an elastic band, as a garter.
4. Mathematics. an inflection point.

verb phrase

1. 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.

flex

²

[ fleks ]

adjective

1. Informal. flexible:

   a flex program of workers' benefits.

flex-

³

1. a combining form representing flexible in compound words:

   flextime.

flex

/ flɛks /

noun

1. a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mains US and Canadian namecord
2. informal.
   flexibility or pliability

verb

1. to bend or be bent

   his arm flexed

   he flexed his arm

2. to contract (a muscle) or (of a muscle) to contract
3. intr to work according to flexitime
4. to test or display (one's authority or strength)

Word History and Origins

Origin of flex¹

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

Origin of flex²

Shortening of flexible

Word History and Origins

Origin of flex¹

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

Example Sentences

“The Black Friday scones are a product of my desire to bring something to the holiday weekend, even when there is no room for me to flex at the Turkey Day meal itself,” she wrote.

From Salon

Last year a Vogue India article’s headline read, pointedly: “Owning a one-of-a-kind upcycled garment is the new wardrobe flex.”

From Los Angeles Times

Depth in the secondary — where Molden has solidified the safety position while rookie cornerbacks Still and Cam Hart have stepped up outside — has allowed James to flex his versatility in every facet of the defense.

From Los Angeles Times

So she decided to pitch Colvin so she could help her find a man and also flex her creative muscles.

From Los Angeles Times

That pressure is behind the chancellor's decision to flex the spending rules she used to boast about being "ironclad".

From BBC

Related Words

• lean
• tighten
• tilt