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. Alsoflexileˈflɛksaɪl able to be bent easily without breaking; pliable
2. adaptable or variable

   flexible working hours

3. able to be persuaded easily; tractable

Derived Forms

• ˈflexibly, adverb
• ˌflexiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• flex·i·bil·i·ty [flek-s, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], flex·i·ble·ness noun
• flex·i·bly adverb
• hy·per·flex·i·ble adjective
• hy·per·flex·i·ble·ness noun
• hy·per·flex·i·bly adverb
• non·flex·i·ble adjective
• non·flex·i·ble·ness noun
• non·flex·i·bly adverb
• un·flex·i·ble adjective
• un·flex·i·bly 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

They included several types of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics flexible; chloroform, a toxic byproduct from disinfecting water with chlorine; and toluene, a hazardous substance found in vehicle exhaust.

From Los Angeles Times

The letter also suggests that changes in the NICs threshold are "regressive in their impact on lower earners and will impact flexible working practices which many older workers and parents rely upon".

From BBC

They wanted an energetic approach but with the ability to be flexible.

From BBC

The ruling is the latest on the "gig-economy", which is characterised by flexible but unpredictable work patterns.

From BBC

Since April, UK workers have had the right - introduced under the previous Conservative government - to ask for flexible working as soon as they start a job, but firms do not have to agree.

From BBC

Related Words

• malleable
• soft