elastic

play

adjective elas·tic \ i-ˈla-stik \

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

Definition of elastic

1 a of a solid :capable of recovering size and shape after deformation

b :relating to or being a collision between particles in which the total kinetic energy of the particles remains unchanged

2 :capable of recovering quickly especially from depression or disappointment

my elastic spirits revived
—Wilkie Collins

3 :capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape :flexible

an elastic bandage

4 a :capable of ready change or easy expansion or contraction :not rigid or constricted

an elastic concept

b :receptive to new ideas :adaptable

an elastic mind

—

elastically

play \i-ˈla-sti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See elastic defined for English-language learners

See elastic defined for kids

Examples of elastic in a Sentence

when vacationing, we generally have very elastic daily sightseeing plans

Recent Examples of elastic from the Web

Savage describes the offense as elastic -- giving coaches the wherewithal to fatten and contract the playbook from week to week while interchanging players to create the most advantageous mismatches.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "How the coach who followed Bear Bryant still has his fingerprints on Alabama," 29 Aug. 2017
This award winner from Down Under uses an innovative, ultra-light stretchable elastic-gel to create glossier, longer, fuller lashes that won’t flake out on you.

— miamiherald, "Stuff celebrities love: A perfect wine to celebrate the eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017
Of course, such an elastic definition neuters violence of any coherent meaning.

— josh craddock, National Review, "Words Are Not Violence," 18 Aug. 2017
There are panels galore and elastic fasteners throughout, designed to mirror the effect of your tendons for extra stability.

— jonathan evans, Esquire, "This New Clarks Originals Shoe Is the Good Kind of Weird," 11 Aug. 2017
Yet the latest example of what is being portrayed as American skulduggery might be a stretch, even by the elastic standards of Russian television.

— neil macfarquhar, The Seattle Times, "That devious plot to ‘zombify’ Russia: the fidget spinner," 19 July 2017
The elastic wrapped around the waist, the bra hugging the chest close.

— lexie bean, Teen Vogue, "How Dressing in Drag Helps This Artist Feel Closer to Their Dead Mother," 13 July 2017
When fully unfolded, the struts are hard and rigid, while the elastic cables are softer and more flexible.

— michelle z. donahue, Smithsonian, "Print, Then Heat for Self-Assembling Space Stations," 10 July 2017
Her secret: Packing cubes, Ziplock bags and elastic bands.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Watch This Woman Pack 200 Things Into a Suitcase," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elastic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of elastic

New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos ductile, beaten, from Greek elaunein to drive, beat out; probably akin to Greek ēlythe he went, Old Irish luid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1674

See Words from the same year

elastic Synonyms

Synonyms

bouncy, flexible, resilient, rubberlike, rubbery, springy, stretch, stretchable, stretchy, supple, whippy

Antonyms

inelastic, inflexible, nonelastic, rigid, stiff

Related Words

adaptable, ductile, kneadable, malleable, moldable, plastic, pliable, pliant; limber, lissome (also lissom), lithe, lithesome, willowy

Near Antonyms

compact, firm, hard, solid, unyielding; brittle, crisp, crumbly, flaky (also flakey), friable, short

Synonym Discussion of elastic

elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching.

- an elastic waistband

resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed.

- a resilient innersole

springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape.

- the cake is done when the top is springy

flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking.

- flexible plastic tubing

supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury.

- supple leather

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

elastic

noun

Definition of elastic

1 a :easily stretched rubber usually prepared in cords, strings, or bands

b :rubber band

2 a :an elastic fabric usually made of yarns containing rubber

b :something made from this fabric

See elastic defined for English-language learners

Examples of elastic in a Sentence

She wrapped an elastic around the cards.

Recent Examples of elastic from the Web

Add colored elastics into her hair to add a fun touch to this versatile updo.

— sasha henriques, Woman's Day, "The 10 Best Back-to-School Hairstyles for Kids," 25 July 2017
The boy briefs of early American Apparel live on in Sloane & Tate’s high-cut briefs and triangle bras, made from cotton and jock-strappy elastics.

— kat stoeffel, The Cut, "Where Do You Buy Comfy-Slutty Underwear in a World Without American Apparel?," 17 July 2017

First Known Use of elastic

1847

Financial Definition of ELASTIC

elastic

adjective

What It Is

Something is elastic when its price varies with the price of another item. It the business world, the term most often refers to how much the price of a good or service changes when the supply of that good or service changes.
The formula for elasticity is:

Elasticity = % Change in Quantity/% Change in Price

How It Works

Let's assume that when gas prices increase by 50%, gas purchases fall by 25%. Using the formula above, we can calculate that the price elasticity of gasoline is:

Elasticity = -25%/50% = -0.50

Thus, we can say that for every percentage point that gas prices increase, gas purchases decrease by half a percentage point. The price of gas is elastic.

Why It Matters

If demand changes a lot when prices change a little, the demand for a product is elastic. This often is the case for products or services for which there are many alternatives or for which consumers are price sensitive.

The opposite is also true: When there is a small change in demand when prices change a lot, the product is inelastic. This is often the case for products and services that people consider necessities and will purchase at almost any price. The presence of few good substitutes and the presence of customer loyalty are also factors. At some point, however, there is a price at which demand for any good or service will fall to zero or near zero.

Source: Investing Answers

ELASTIC Defined for English Language Learners

elastic

play

adjective

Definition of elastic for English Language Learners

: able to return to an original shape or size after being stretched, squeezed, etc.
: able to be changed

elastic

noun

Definition of elastic for English Language Learners

: material that can be stretched : elastic fabric

ELASTIC Defined for Kids

elastic

play

adjective elas·tic \ i-ˈla-stik \

Definition of elastic for Students

:capable of returning to original shape or size after being stretched, pressed, or squeezed together

elastic

noun

Definition of elastic for Students

1 :rubber band

2 :material that can be stretched

Medical Dictionary

elastic

play

adjective elas·tic \ i-ˈlas-tik \

medical Definition of elastic

1 a of a solid :capable of recovering size and shape after deformation

b of a liquid :capable of resisting compression

c of a gas :capable of indefinite expansion

2 :capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape

—

elastically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

elastic

noun

medical Definition of elastic

1 a :easily stretched rubber usually prepared in cords, strings, or bands

b :a band of elastic used especially in orthodontics; also :one placed around a tooth at the gumline in effecting its nonsurgical removal

2 a :an elastic fabric usually made of yarns containing rubber

b :something made from this fabric

Learn More about elastic

See words that rhyme with elastic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elastic Spanish Central: Translation of elastic Nglish: Translation of elastic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of elastic for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up elastic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

elastic

Definition of elastic

elastically

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of elastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of elastic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of elastic

elastic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of elastic

Other Physics Terms

elastic

Definition of elastic

Examples of elastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of elastic from the Web

First Known Use of elastic

Financial Definition of ELASTIC

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

Phrases Related to ELASTIC

Related Phrases

ELASTIC Defined for English Language Learners

elastic

Definition of elastic for English Language Learners

elastic

Definition of elastic for English Language Learners

ELASTIC Defined for Kids

elastic

Definition of elastic for Students

elastic

Definition of elastic for Students

Medical Dictionary

elastic

medical Definition of elastic

elastically

elastic

medical Definition of elastic

Learn More about elastic

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066