Flexible — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈflek-sə-bəl/ flex·i·ble

Meaning & Definition of Flexible

Flexible (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

Flexible (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  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 Flexible

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flexible:

Chiefly British: bendy
adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, fluid, malleable, modifiable, pliable, variable, easygoing, lax, loose, relaxed, slack, unrestrained, unrestricted, limber, lissome, lithe, lithesome, pliant, supple, willowy, bouncy, resilient, rubberlike, rubbery, springy, stretch, stretchable, stretchy, whippy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Flexible

Words with the opposite meaning of Flexible:

established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable, ramrod, set, unadaptable, unalterable, unbudgeable, unchangeable, hard, harsh, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, stiff, stiffened, nonelastic

Related Words for Flexible

changing, fluctuating, inconstant, labile, unstable, unsteady, varying, versatile, careless, derelict, heedless, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unfussy, ductile, kneadable, plastic, yielding, droopy, flaccid, floppy, limp, semiflexible

Near Antonyms of Flexible

constant, stable, steady, unchanging, uniform, unvarying, constrained, restrained, restricted, tight, careful, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, implacable, unyielding, breakable, brittle, fragile, compact, firm, solid, crisp, crumbly, flaky, friable

Word Forms of Flexible

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

Origin & Etymology of Flexible

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 Flexible

Frequently Asked Questions about Flexible

What does "Flexible" mean?

"Flexible" means capable of being flexed, pliant. As an adjective, it is defined as: capable of being flexed, pliant. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flexible"?

Other words for "Flexible" include adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, fluid, malleable and modifiable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flexible" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flexible"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flexible". Common alternatives include adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, fluid, malleable, modifiable, pliable and variable.

What is the opposite of "Flexible"?

Antonyms of "Flexible" include established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable and ramrod. Near antonyms include constant, stable, steady and unchanging.

How do you use "Flexible" in a sentence?

Examples of "Flexible" in a sentence: "fortunately, that working mother has a very flexible schedule for her office job"; "parents with a flexible attitude when it comes to the children's bedtime"; "the tent was held up by crisscrossing flexible rods threaded through the top".

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

"Flexible" is an adjective.

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

As a B2-level word, "Flexible" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Flexible"?

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