elastic

adjective

elas·tic | \ i-ˈla-stik

Definition of elastic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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

4a : 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

elastic

noun

Definition of elastic (Entry 2 of 2)

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

b : rubber band

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

b : something made from this fabric

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Choose the Right Synonym for elastic

Adjective

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

Examples of elastic in a Sentence

Adjective

when vacationing, we generally have very elastic daily sightseeing plans

Noun

She wrapped an elastic around the cards.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But products that are less distinctive require tactile markers — think Cellotape tags, elastic bands, or homemade Braille labels. — Allure, "Blindness & Beauty: How Visually Impaired Women Changed an Industry That Ignored Them," 2 Apr. 2019 Instead of rubber straps, these goggles are held on by a wide elastic fabric band. — Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, "These Goggles Won't Pull Your Hair — and They are Selling Out FAST," 20 Mar. 2019 Soft, 100-percent cotton underwear that doesn’t have tight elastic bands around the leg openings is ideal. — Megan Gustashaw, Glamour, "So You Want to Shave Your Bikini Line...," 23 Mar. 2019 If your hair is fine or straight, mist each length of pigtail with a texture spray or dry shampoo, coil them, then wrap and pin them around an elastic. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi Hadid Just Reminded Us How Much We Love Space Buns," 4 Dec. 2018 Scraped back underneath a black cap and secured with a small elastic, the tight knot was befitting his focused mindset. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Justin Bieber Test Drives the Matrimonial Man Bun in Los Angeles," 23 Oct. 2018 And last month, at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, Bell showed off a sleek, low pony tied with a basic black elastic. — Andrea Park, Allure, "Kristen Bell's Chignon Pony Is a Gorgeous Updo Idea for Short Hair," 23 July 2018 Everyday Topknot Gather your hair into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic. — Sam Escobar, Good Housekeeping, "17 Genius Curly Hair Tips and Tricks," 1 Dec. 2017 The main compartment features a sewn-in drawstring closure, which is ideal for loading up with treats and toys for the park, and the elastic mesh pocket in front fits my iPhone perfectly. — Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping, "This $16 Pouch Is Like a Diaper Bag for Dog Moms," 15 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

However, instead of just one big ponytail sectioned off into puffs with rubber bands, he's divided his hair into several smaller ones, complete with green, red, and yellow elastics. — Sharine Taylor, Allure, "For These Dancehall Artists, Hair Is Just as Important as the Music," 27 Sep. 2018 Plus, the soft material is far easier on your hair than tight elastics. — refinery29.com, "The Unexpected '90s Trend That Celebs Are Loving," 20 June 2018 Try to avoid tight hair ties, like elastics, that week, which could put extra stress on the hair. — Loren Savini, Allure, "The Best Products and Techniques for Strengthening Breakage-Prone Hair," 23 May 2018 Jazz up a ponytail or a half-up, half-down style with one of these soft elastics (the Cut staff is already obsessed). — Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, "The Best Spring Hair Accessory Trends," 17 Apr. 2018 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 These are high-brow and highly enjoyable alternatives to generic elastics that wind around hair and are a pain to take out. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "Silk Scrunchies Are Here," 13 Mar. 2018 Flip the tail ends up, tuck them in between your head and the clear elastics, and pull them out through the bottom to create the topsy tails. — Brooke Shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "15 Super-Easy Hairstyles for Lazy Girls Who Can't Even," 12 Dec. 2017 Friendships should be enduring and flexible like rubber bands, but sometimes elastics snap. — Jessica Ariel Wendroff, Teen Vogue, "5 Signs It's Time to Break Up With Your BFF," 2 Nov. 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.

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Dictionary Entries near elastic

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Last Updated

26 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for elastic

The first known use of elastic was in 1674

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More Definitions for elastic

elastic

adjective

Financial Definition of elastic

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

adjective