flexible

1 of 2

adjective

flex·​i·​ble ˈflek-sə-bəl 

1

: capable of being flexed : pliant

flexible branches swaying in the breeze

2

: yielding to influence : tractable

a flexible person without strong convictions

3

: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements

a flexible foreign policy

a flexible schedule

flexibility

ˌflek-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

flexibly

ˈflek-sə-blē 

adverb

flexibility

2 of 2

noun

flex·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌfleksəˈbilətē 

-lətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being flexible

balance and flexibility in the armed forces

—T. R. Phillips

the flexibility and spontaneity of performances

—Brooks Atkinson

the face of the mother, for all its amazing flexibility

—Thomas Wolfe

Synonyms of flexible

Adjective

• adjustable
• adaptable

Choose the Right Synonym for flexible

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 flexible in a Sentence

Adjective

flexible branches swaying in the breeze

a material that is both strong and flexible

She's been doing exercises to become stronger and more flexible.

Our schedule for the weekend is very flexible.

This computer program has to be flexible to meet all our needs.

Whatever you want to do is fine with me. I'm flexible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Reducing the stiffness of the artery Help prevent calcium buildup in the arteries, which can make the arteries harder and less flexible. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 18 June 2026

When people are anxious or fearful—aka in survival mode—they’re less flexible and more risk-averse, not ideal conditions for experimentation and innovation. —Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Companies around the region are giving employees flexible hours after their respective national teams play. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 18 June 2026

The former should be soft and slightly flexible, such as rubber, and the latter should be impact- and shatter-resistant, such as polycarbonate. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Latin flexibilis, from flexus (past participle of flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve," of uncertain origin) + -ibilis -ible

Noun

French flexibilité, from Middle French, from Late Latin flexibilitat-, flexibilitas, from Latin flexibilis flexible + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flexible

• inflexible

Kids Definition

flexible

adjective

flex·​i·​ble ˈflek-sə-bəl 

1

: capable of being bent : pliant

2

: readily changed or changing : adaptable

a flexible schedule

flexibility

ˌflek-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

flexibly

ˈflek-sə-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

flexible

adjective

flex·​i·​ble ˈflek-sə-bəl 

: capable of being flexed : capable of being turned, bowed, or twisted without breaking

flexible bandages

a flexible fiber-optic bronchoscope

flexibility

ˌflek-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural flexibilities