elastic
Americanadjective
-
capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded.
an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.
-
spontaneously expansive, as gases.
-
flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant.
elastic rules and regulations.
- Antonyms:
- unyielding , intolerant , inflexible , rigid
-
springing back or rebounding; springy.
He walks with an elastic step.
-
readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant.
an elastic temperament.
-
Economics. relatively responsive to change, as to a proportionate increase in demand as the result of a decrease in price.
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Physics. of, relating to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity.
noun
-
webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber.
-
something made from this material, as a garter.
adjective
-
(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation
-
capable of adapting to change
an elastic schedule
-
quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant
-
springy or resilient
an elastic walk
-
(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously
-
physics (of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy
-
made of elastic
noun
-
tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape
-
something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter
Other Word Forms
- elastically adverb
- nonelastic adjective
- nonelastically adverb
- semielastic adjective
- semielastically adverb
- superelastic adjective
- superelastically adverb
- unelastic adjective
- unelastically adverb
Etymology
Origin of elastic
1645–55; < New Latin elasticus expanding spontaneously, equivalent to Greek elast ( ós ) (late variant of elatós ductile, beaten (of metal), derivative of elaúnein, elân beat out, forge) + -icus -ic
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.
Among the new nonnegotiables: fleece vests instead of jackets and elastic waistbands instead of “hard pants,” i.e., anything with a zipper.
Over the centuries, gravy shed its sweeter, almond-thickened medieval robes and settled into something recognizably savory, though still wonderfully elastic.
From Salon
Designed with movement in mind, this Gucci sneaker features the brand’s signature stripe and an elastic back, so you can rock the look heel on or off.
From Los Angeles Times
The wings were born, attached to a wide elastic waistband Equihua had from a former project.
From Los Angeles Times
Others included shamelessness, stubbornness and an elastic approach to bookkeeping.
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.
