Flexibility — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈflek-sə-bəl/ flex·i·ble

Meaning & Definition of Flexibility

Flexibility (adjective)

  1. capable of being flexed, pliant
  2. yielding to influence, tractable
  3. characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements

Flexibility (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in resilience, elasticity

    similar: elasticity, limberness, resilience, workability, workableness, adaptability, ductility, plasticity, pliability, pliableness, pliancy, pliantness, suppleness, malleability
    opposite: inflexibility, rigidity, stiffness

  2. as in variability, changeability

    similar: changeability, mutability, variability, variableness, arbitrariness, fickleness, inconstancy, irregularity, volatileness, volatility, eccentricity, flakiness, mercurialness, moodiness, unpredictability, willfulness, caprice, capriciousness, freakishness, impulsiveness, whimsicality, whimsicalness
    opposite: levelheadedness, practicality, reasonability, reasonableness, fastness, firmness, fixedness, immovability, immovableness, immutability, inflexibility, invariability, changelessness, constancy, stability, steadfastness, steadiness

Related Entry: Flexible (adjective)

Flexible is a different word from Flexibility. The synonyms below are for flexible, not for flexibility.

  1. capable of being readily changed

    "fortunately, that working mother has a very flexible schedule for her office job"

    similar: adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, fluid, malleable, modifiable, pliable, variable
    related: changing, fluctuating, inconstant, labile, unstable, unsteady, varying, versatile
    opposite: established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable, ramrod, set, unadaptable, unalterable, unbudgeable, unchangeable
    near: constant, stable, steady, unchanging, uniform, unvarying

  2. not bound by rigid standards

    "parents with a flexible attitude when it comes to the children's bedtime"

    similar: easygoing, lax, loose, relaxed, slack, unrestrained, unrestricted
    related: careless, derelict, heedless, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unfussy
    opposite: hard, harsh, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict
    near: constrained, restrained, restricted, tight, careful, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, implacable, inflexible

  3. able to bend easily without breaking

    "the tent was held up by crisscrossing flexible rods threaded through the top"

    similar: bendy (chiefly British), limber, lissome, lithe, lithesome, pliable, pliant, supple, willowy
    related: adaptable, ductile, elastic, fluid, kneadable, malleable, modifiable, plastic, variable, yielding, droopy, flaccid, floppy, limp, semiflexible
    opposite: inflexible, rigid, stiff, stiffened
    near: inelastic, nonmalleable, unyielding, breakable, brittle, fragile

  4. able to revert to original size and shape after being stretched, squeezed, or twisted

    "used a flexible plastic for the toy"

    similar: bouncy, elastic, resilient, rubberlike, rubbery, springy, stretch, stretchable, stretchy, supple, whippy
    related: adaptable, ductile, kneadable, malleable, moldable, plastic, pliable, pliant, limber, lissome, lithe, lithesome, willowy
    opposite: inelastic, inflexible, nonelastic, rigid, stiff
    near: compact, firm, hard, solid, unyielding, brittle, crisp, crumbly, flaky, friable, short

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Flexibility

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flexibility:

elasticity, limberness, resilience, workability, workableness, adaptability, ductility, plasticity, pliability, pliableness, pliancy, pliantness, suppleness, malleability, changeability, mutability, variability, variableness, arbitrariness, fickleness, inconstancy, irregularity, volatileness, volatility, eccentricity, flakiness, mercurialness, moodiness, unpredictability, willfulness, caprice, capriciousness, freakishness, impulsiveness, whimsicality, whimsicalness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Flexibility

Words with the opposite meaning of Flexibility:

inflexibility, rigidity, stiffness, levelheadedness, practicality, reasonability, reasonableness, fastness, firmness, fixedness, immovability, immovableness, immutability, invariability, changelessness, constancy, stability, steadfastness, steadiness

Word Forms of Flexibility

Derived words: flexibility (noun), flexibly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Flexibility

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

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Flexibility

Frequently Asked Questions about Flexibility

What does "Flexibility" mean?

"Flexibility" means capable of being flexed, pliant. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: capable of being flexed, pliant. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flexibility"?

Other words for "Flexibility" include elasticity, limberness, resilience, workability, workableness, adaptability, ductility and plasticity. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flexibility" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flexibility"?

There are 36 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flexibility". Common alternatives include elasticity, limberness, resilience, workability, workableness, adaptability, ductility, plasticity, pliability and pliableness.

What is the opposite of "Flexibility"?

Antonyms of "Flexibility" include inflexibility, rigidity, stiffness, levelheadedness, practicality, reasonability, reasonableness and fastness.

Is "Flexibility" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Flexibility" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Flexibility" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Flexibility" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Flexibility"?

"Flexibility" is pronounced /ˈflek-sə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as flex·i·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Flexibility"?

"Flexibility" comes from 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. First known use: 15th century.