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flexible Definition

flex·ible (flek′sə bəl)

adjective

  1. able to bend without breaking; not stiff or rigid; easily bent; pliant
  2. easily persuaded or influenced; tractable
  3. adjustable to change; capable of modification a flexible voice

Etymology: ME < OFr < L flexibilis < flexus: see flex

flexible Related Forms

flex′·ibil′·ity noun flex′·ibly adverb

flexible Synonyms

flexible

modif.

  1. Pliant

    limber, lithe, supple, willowy, plastic, elastic, bending, springy, malleable, ductile, pliable, soft, extensile, extensible, spongy, tractable, moldable, yielding, tractile, flexile, formable, bendable, impressionable, like putty, like wax, adaptable, adjustable, modifiable, stretchable, stretchy, resilient, rubbery, loose-limbed, double-jointed.

    Antonyms stiff*, hard*, rigid. *

  2. Tractable

    compliant, manageable, amenable; see docile.

flexible refers to anything that can be bent without breaking, whether or not it returns to its original form a flexible wire; elastic implies ability to return without permanent injury to the original size or shape after being stretched, expanded, etc. an elastic garter; resilient implies ability to spring back into shape after being deformed, esp. by compression resilient skin, and in figurative use suggests an ease in returning to good health or spirits a resilient attitude towards life; supple is applied to that which is easily bent, twisted, or folded without breaking, cracking, etc. kidskin is supple

flexible Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • sufficiently: A template will be constructed which will be sufficiently flexible to absorb the specific requirements of each region.
  • extremely: These plans are extremely flexible, allowing you to make most of the decisions about your personal care.
  • highly: We offer a highly flexible degree program, with a range of options in each year of the course.

Infinitive complement

  • accommodate: We urge that the new proposals should be flexible enough to accommodate the needs of such individuals.
  • cope: The program is intended to be flexible enough to cope with academic workloads and the specific needs of the subject material.
  • cater: Practical Activities Investigations and Games This material is flexible enough to cater for a wide range of ability and development within each stage.
  • respond: Design for change: New development needs to be flexible enough to respond to future changes in use, life style and demography.
  • suit: Rates are very competitive and terms of storage are flexible to suit the owner of the vintage car, bus or truck in question.
  • allow: Civil Service rules must be made more flexible to allow able people to be brought in from outside.

Modifies a noun

  • working: Flexible working has also been a problem for many parents the report suggests.
  • approach: What we hope will impress you most is the flexible, fun approach we have to wedding dress shopping.
  • mortgage: A recent innovation in the mortgage business is the Flexible Mortgage.
  • sigmoidoscopy: Screening for colorectal cancer: to assess whether screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy once at age 55 to 60 can reduce mortality from colorectal cancer.
  • hose: Just simply insert a lightweight flexible hose and clean in virtual silence with incredible power.
  • workforce: Our economic future depends on a highly skilled and flexible workforce.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: Outside these Strategic Locations, we intend to remain flexible in accommodating business needs, particularly for the District's existing employers.
  • request: In ( Nov 2003 ) working parents with young children will have the right to request flexible working arrangements from their employers.
  • adopt: Would you like to adopt more flexible working hours?
  • introduce: For example, we have introduced flexible manning which means that we can adapt our costs to revenues and the number of passengers traveling.
  • become: As dogs age, it is common for their joints to become less flexible which impacts their mobility and quality of life.