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

A number of carmakers are already struggling to meet their targets, although there are flexible mechanisms built into the rules which should allow them to avoid fines for the moment.

From BBC

Ohtani’s historic deferrals have kept the team’s actual payroll levels flexible, and seemingly made club executives more willing to pay luxury tax penalties long-term.

From Los Angeles Times

"But we can feel a sense of optimism that they are flexible in the timing of their activity. Coexistence is happening, and it's in large part because of what mountain lions are doing."

From Science Daily

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

Related Words

• malleable
• soft