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. Also: flexile. able to be bent easily without breaking; pliable

2. adaptable or variable

   flexible working hours

3. able to be persuaded easily; tractable

Other Word Forms

• flexibility noun
• flexibleness noun
• flexibly adverb
• hyperflexible adjective
• hyperflexibleness noun
• hyperflexibly adverb
• nonflexible adjective
• nonflexibleness noun
• nonflexibly adverb
• unflexible adjective
• unflexibly 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

That doesn’t mean that modern moviegoing should be intimidating, only that it’s malleable, and that you can be just as flexible with the films you see.

From Salon

ScotRail ticketing will also be more straightforward and flexible under the new system.

From BBC

“We really are doing our best to hear folks and be flexible within the constraints of the law,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Bosses in Los Angeles tend to be more flexible when it comes to remote work in part because commutes can be so long there, said Mark Ein, Kastle’s executive chair.

From Los Angeles Times

“They know a lot of us are working actors, musicians, writers, so they’re very flexible in giving us time to pursue our careers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• malleable 
• soft