FLEXIBLE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flexible mean? 

• FLEXIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective FLEXIBLE has 5 senses:

1. capable of being changed

2. able to flex; able to bend easily

3. able to adjust readily to different conditions

4. bending and snapping back readily without breaking

5. making or willing to make concessions

  Familiarity information: FLEXIBLE used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLEXIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of being changed

Context example:

flexible schedules

Similar:

limber; supple ((used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable)

negotiable; on the table (able to be negotiated or arranged by compromise)

Antonym:

inflexible (incapable of change)

Derivation:

flexibleness (the quality of being adaptable or variable)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Able to flex; able to bend easily

Synonyms:

flexible; flexile

Context example:

slim flexible birches

Similar:

bendable; pliable; pliant; waxy (capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking)

double-jointed (having unusually flexible joints especially of the limbs or fingers)

limber; supple ((used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely)

limber ((used of artifacts) easily bent)

spinnable; spinnbar (capable of being spun into fibres)

stretched ((of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching)

Also:

elastic (capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy)

Antonym:

inflexible (resistant to being bent)

Derivation:

flex (cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form)

flexibility; flexibleness (the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Able to adjust readily to different conditions

Synonyms:

elastic; flexible; pliable; pliant

Context example:

an elastic clause in a contract

Similar:

adaptable (capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use)

Derivation:

flexibility; flexibleness (the quality of being adaptable or variable)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Bending and snapping back readily without breaking

Synonyms:

flexible; whippy

Similar:

elastic (capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy)

Derivation:

flexibility; flexibleness (the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Making or willing to make concessions

Synonyms:

compromising; conciliatory; flexible

Context example:

loneliness tore through him...whenever he thought of...even the compromising Louis du Tillet

Similar:

yielding (tending to give in or surrender or agree)

Derivation:

flexibility (the trait of being easily persuaded)

flexibleness (the quality of being adaptable or variable)

 Context examples 

A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

(Catheter, NCI Dictionary)

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint.

(Cartilage Disorders, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

A flexible tube designed to transfer fluids into or out of the body.

(Catheter Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

They are awarded sizeable amounts of flexible funding to enable them to rapidly address emerging scientific opportunities or specific challenges.

(Centers of Research Excellence, NCI Thesaurus)

These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and persistent in solving problems.

(Coping skills, NCI Dictionary)

A tough, flexible tissue that lines joints and gives structure to the nose, ears, larynx, and other parts of the body.

(Cartilage, NCI Dictionary)

A device around which thread, tape, or other flexible material can be wound.

(Bobbin Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

The device was designed to be flexible so it could be worn on the wrist.

(Diagnosing cystic fibrosis with wearable devices, NIH)

This glue remains both sticky and flexible and works even when the surface the slug is on is wet.

(New studies may bring slug-made glues closer to use in medicine, Wikinews)

A classic example is collagen, which forms connective tissue in our bodies and is strong and flexible because of how it is organized.

(New technique helps engineer water filters, human tissues, National Science Foundation)