supple

¹sup·ple

adjective \ˈsə-pəl also ˈsü-\

sup·pler \-p(ə-)lər\ sup·plest \-p(ə-)ləst\

Definition of SUPPLE

1

a : compliant often to the point of obsequiousness

b : readily adaptable or responsive to new situations

2

a : capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks : pliant <supple leather>

b : able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease : limber <supple legs of a dancer>

c : easy and fluent without stiffness or awkwardness <sang with a lively, supple voice — Douglas Watt>

— sup·ple·ly \-pə(l)-lē\ or sup·ply \-p(ə-)lē\ adverb

— sup·ple·ness \-pəl-nəs\ noun

Examples of SUPPLE

1. <a dome tent outfitted with supple fiberglass tent poles>
2. <shoes made from supple leather>

Origin of SUPPLE

Middle English souple, from Anglo-French suple, from Latin supplic-, supplex entreating for mercy, supplicant, perhaps from sub- + -plic- (akin to plicare to fold) — more at ply

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPPLE

Synonyms

bendy [chiefly British], flexible, limber, lissome (also lissom), lithe, lithesome, pliable, pliant, willowy

Antonyms

inflexible, rigid, stiff, stiffened

Related Words

adaptable, ductile, elastic, fluid, kneadable, malleable, modifiable, plastic, variable, yielding; droopy, flaccid, floppy, limp; semiflexible

Near Antonyms

inelastic, nonmalleable, unyielding; breakable, brittle, fragile

See Synonym Discussion at elastic

²supple

verb

sup·pledsup·pling \-p(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of SUPPLE

transitive verb

1

: to make pacific or complaisant <supple the tempers of your race — Laurence Sterne>

2

: to alleviate with a salve

3

: to make flexible or pliant

intransitive verb

: to become soft and pliant

First Known Use of SUPPLE

14th century

Rhymes with SUPPLE

couple