Supple definition

sŭpəl
suppled suppler supples supplest suppling
See word origin
Frequency:
Adaptable to changing circumstances.
adjective
3
1
adjective
2
0
Readily bent, folded, or manipulated; pliant.

A wallet made of supple leather.

adjective
3
2
Adaptable, as to changes.

A supple mind.

adjective
0
0
To make or become supple.
verb
0
0
Advertisement
Lithe and agile when moving and bending.

Supple joints; supple fingers.

adjective
0
0
Compliant; yielding to the will of others.

A supple horse.

adjective
0
0
To make or become supple.
verb
0
0
To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
verb
0
0
The definition of supple is someone or something that bends and moves easily and gracefully.

The fluid and graceful movements of a dancer are an example of something that would be described as supple.

adjective
0
1
Advertisement
Moving and bending with agility; limber.

A supple gymnast.

adjective
0
1
To make or become supple.
verb
0
1
Easily bent or twisted; flexible; pliant.
adjective
0
1
Able to bend and move easily and nimbly; lithe; limber.

A supple body.

adjective
0
1
Easily changed or influenced.
adjective
0
1
Advertisement

Other Word Forms

Adjective

Base Form:
supple
Comparative:
suppler
Superlative:
supplest

Origin of supple

  • Middle English souple from Old French from Latin supplex suppliant plāk-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English souple, from Old French souple, soupple (“soft, lithe, yielding"), from Latin supplic-, supplex (“suppliant, submissive, kneeling"), of uncertain formation. Either from sub + plicō (“bend") (compare complex), or from sub + plācō (“placate"). More at sub-, placate.

    From Wiktionary

Supple Sentence Examples

  • The man was much more supple than his age would suggest.

  • Natasha rose slowly and carefully, crossed herself, and stepped cautiously on the cold and dirty floor with her slim, supple, bare feet.

  • Jessi's body was supple and relaxed in his arms, her gray eyes wide and her features flushed.

  • The movement of the balls will keep the glove supple.

  • In Milan he helped to place Lodovico it Moro in power in 1479, but he reaped less from this supple tyrant than he had expected.

More sentences

Related articles

Also Mentioned In

Words near supple in the Dictionary