flexed; flexing; flexes
Definition of flex
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: to bend especially repeatedly
2a
: to move muscles so as to cause flexion of (a joint)
b
: to move or tense (a muscle) by contraction
3
: use, demonstrate
flexing her skills as a singer
1
: bend
2
informal
a
: to talk in a boastful or aggressive way
"Bronze" is one of the most straightforward new tracks: a boastful and insidiously dark song that sees him flexing about his many wins.— Raisa Bruner
— often used with on to indicate the person, group, etc. at whom the talk is directed Hip-hop has never just been about selling drugs, flexing on haters, and threatening enemies, as many like to portray it.— Aaron Williams… he … went searching for criticism, then tried to flex on a random criticizer.— Ashley Feinberg"… And if President Trump is going to continue to flex on China, whether it's with tariffs, whether it's just talking tough and tweeting tough, that still draws a very stark contrast between himself and the Democratic Party. …"— Mattie Duppler
b
: to make an ostentatious display of something : show off
While tons of influencers love to flex on Instagram via designer bags and other luxury splurges, others are all about that perfect high-low balance …— Bella Gerard
— often used with on to indicate the person, group, etc. at whom the display is directed It's in-your-face branding that is all about flexing on your friends in their more common, more conventional limousines.— Max Finkel
flex one's muscles
: to demonstrate one's strength
an exaggerated need to flex his political muscles— J. P. Lash
flex
noun (1)
plural flexes
Definition of flex (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: an act or instance of flexing or bending
[Trae] Young finished with 22 points, seven assists and two steals—and a muscle flex after the game-winner.— Chris Vivlamore
2
: flexibility, pliancy
The … fillet blade has a nice flex to it.— Matt Foster
3
informal
: an act of bragging or showing off
Monster (1994) was R.E.M.'s weird flex: an over-the-top rock album saturated with distortion, propelled by power chords and guitar feedback, and voiced by singer Michael Stipe's newly found enthusiasm.— David Gill
flex
noun (2)
plural flexes
Definition of flex (Entry 3 of 3)
chiefly British
: an electric cord
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for flex
The first known use of flex was circa 1521
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