supple Hear it!

supple Definition

sup·ple (supəl)

adjective -·pler, -·plest

  1. easily bent or twisted; flexible; pliant
  2. able to bend and move easily and nimbly; lithe; limber a supple body
  3. easily changed or influenced
  4. adaptable, as to changes a supple mind

Etymology: ME souple < OFr < L supplex, humble, submissive, akin to supplicare: see supplicate

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·pled, -·pling

to make or become supple

supple Related Forms

sup·plely adverb sup·ple·ness noun

supple Synonyms

supple

modif.

flexible, yielding, pliant, agile; see flexible 1, rubber. See syn. study at flexible.

supple Usage Examples

Preposition: with

flavor: The palate is mellow and supple with developed rich flavors derived from extended aging in oak.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: The movement of the balls will keep the glove supple.
  • make: Yoga, for example, can help to relax the muscles and make the joints more supple.
  • leave: Ideal to infuse your shower with its sunny scent of gardenia flowers, as it sensually softens your skin and leaves hair supple.

Modifies a noun

  • tannin: Good firm but supple tannins, with a very good finish.
  • leather: From an Italian designer in soft supple prime grade leather.
  • texture: Helps restore a more supple texture to the skin.
  • suspension: On poor road surfaces the supple suspension comes into its own, soaking up ruts.
  • skin: Bea's measures a mouth watering perfect 34C 24 34 with soft supple skin.
  • ride: Handling is sublime, with a supple ride that doesn't insulate the driver from the car's precise responses.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: CM: very supple, already showing great finesse.
  • yet: They are strong enough to withstand any challenge yet supple enough to give unrivaled comfort.
  • so: Straight Jacket Escape Escapology, now that I am twice the bodyweight, out of practice and not nearly so supple.
  • quite: But as it turns out, the language is quite supple when.. .
  • relatively: For example, I bathe in porridge oats because they make my skin relatively supple after a bath, ' he says.
  • still: The long life treatment protects the sheath against increased wear and ensures high durability but the ropes are still supple.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: As the hurdles dry with age they become less supple.
  • feel: My back feels strangely supple, my thoughts tranquil.
  • keep: Students also use movement to help express feelings as well as stretch muscles and keep supple.
  • remain: This need for flexibility emphasizes the need for paddlers to undertake a number of routines, which ensure that their bodies remain supple.