supple

adjective sup·ple \ ˈsə-pəl also ˈsü- \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

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Examples: supple in a Sentence

Definition of supple

suppler play \ˈsə-p(ə-)lər\; supplest play \ˈsə-p(ə-)ləst\

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

—

supplely

play \ˈsə-pə(l)-lē\ or supply play \ˈsə-p(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

suppleness

play \ˈsə-pəl-nəs\ noun

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Examples of supple in a Sentence

a dome tent outfitted with supple fiberglass tent poles
shoes made from supple leather

Recent Examples of supple from the Web

Michael Curtiz's direction is supple and intelligent, but what makes the movie is James Cagney's manic blur of a performance.

— patrick friel, Chicago Reader, "Crime / Dance / Film / On Video / Small Screen James Cagney is more than just a tough-guy as FilmStruck's Star of the Week," 3 July 2018
Though best known for their ultrasoft (and ultraexpensive) cashmere, the label’s cotton shirts are equally supple.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "The Chambray Shirt: Why Every Man Needs This All-American Staple," 3 July 2018
Because burrata is this neat, soft and supple pouch of cheese with a delicious surprise inside.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "You just might fall in love with creamy burrata cheese this summer," 17 June 2018
The leather thong feels soft and supple between my toes, and the beadwork is backed with a fuzzy suede that hasn’t caused blisters, even after a few hours of walking.

— kelly bastone, Outside Online, "Wazi Sandals Look and Do Good," 19 Apr. 2018
Second, apply silicone to the rubber seals at least once a year to keep them supple and reduce the chances of tearing.

— bob weber, chicagotribune.com, "Stuck door lock? Use graphite lube, not WD-40," 3 Dec. 2017
The hands, which are custom cut for women, are made from supple yet durable pigskin leather, while the arms are made from super tough goatskin to protect you from twigs.

— stephanie eckelkamp, Good Housekeeping, "10 Best Gardening Gloves," 12 Apr. 2017
The iron-nickel alloy was supple and easily hammered into shape without breaking.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018
Most mannequins were outfitted in supple (and seriously expensive) deerskin loafers; raincoats also came with deerskin epaulets (actual rain be damned).

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "In Our Sweatshirted Times, These Brands Are Going All In on Extreme Luxury," 18 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

supple Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of supple

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