flexibility
Americannoun
-
the ability to bend easily or without breaking.
The shoe soles are made from elastic materials to provide perfect flexibility.
-
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.
-
the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.
Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.
Other Word Forms
- hyperflexibility noun
- nonflexibility noun
- unflexibility noun
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. ); 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.
"One thing we have noticed over the last few years is people are actually prioritising their health more, bringing in more flexibility."
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
“Partnering with AIP will better enable us to build on our progress, advance our innovation roadmap, and strengthen our competitive position with enhanced flexibility and resources.”
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
Despite the public hard line from both sides, the two combatants are actively engaging with mediators and open to talks if each shows enough flexibility, the officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
This setup demonstrated the flexibility of ReA for producing and studying rare isotopes.
From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026
This class was an elective, so there was flexibility in the roster—we weren’t all in the same grade; Leilani and Shauna, for example, were juniors.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
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.
