flexibility

American  

[flek-suh-bil-i-tee] / ˌflɛk səˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

flexibilities plural

1. the ability to bend easily or without breaking.

   The shoe soles are made from elastic materials to provide perfect flexibility.

2. 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.

3. the ability and willingness to adjust one’s thinking or behavior.

   Being a resilient parent is all about flexibility.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperflexibility
  noun
• nonflexibility
  noun
• unflexibility
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• flexibilities
  plural

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:

• adaptability vs. flexibility

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.

Example Sentences

Their findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that the apparent chemical reactivity of nanoconfined water depends strongly on factors such as density, pore size, wall flexibility, and surface chemistry.

From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026

His dad did a really interesting interview about how he feels ballet helped Jan with his balance, flexibility, strength and explosiveness.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

Having and building your own business also offers more flexibility for some people versus 9-to-5 jobs, she added.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

There are industry divides over which bill allows more flexibility to comply with new mandates and whether airlines should be required to make potentially costly retrofits of cockpit systems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Changing economics and demographics require flexibility and adaptability.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• resilience