flexibility

American  

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

noun

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

• 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:

• adaptability vs. flexibility

Example Sentences

The bonus was that it gave the team’s front office flexibility to spend big elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal

These tools offer Beijing flexibility and deniability while adding volatility that can make crises worse.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I mean—money, six months vacation, live wherever you want. And you’re serving the nation. What other job allows that much flexibility?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet when it comes to true mental flexibility, living brains still have the clear advantage.

From Science Daily

On Wednesday, European Commission Vice-President Stephane Sejourne said that the EU was willing to show "flexibility" in how the combustion engine phase-out is achieved, ahead of a commission announcement expected on December 10.

From Barron's

Related Words

• resilience