Supple meaning

sŭpəl
suppled suppler supples supplest suppling
See word origin
Frequency:
Readily bent, folded, or manipulated; pliant.

A wallet made of supple leather.

adjective
3
1
Adaptable to changing circumstances.
adjective
2
1
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
2
2
Able to bend and move easily and nimbly; lithe; limber.

A supple body.

adjective
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Easily changed or influenced.
adjective
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0
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Adaptable, as to changes.

A supple mind.

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

Supple joints; supple fingers.

adjective
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Compliant; yielding to the will of others.

A supple horse.

adjective
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To make or become supple.
verb
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To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
verb
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Moving and bending with agility; limber.

A supple gymnast.

adjective
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1
To make or become supple.
verb
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1
Easily bent or twisted; flexible; pliant.
adjective
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1
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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.

  • 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.

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Words near supple in the Dictionary