Elastic is a rubber material that stretches when you pull it and returns to its original size and shape when you let it go. Elastic is often used in clothes to make them fit tightly, for example round the waist.
...a piece of elastic.
...my plaid Bermuda shorts with the elastic waist.
2. adjective
Something that is elastic is able to stretch easily and then return to its original size and shape.
Beat it until the dough is slightly elastic.
...an elastic rope.
Synonyms: flexible, yielding, supple, rubbery More Synonyms of elastic
3. adjective
If ideas, plans, or policies are elastic, they are able to change to suit new circumstances or conditions as they occur.
...an elastic interpretation of the rules of boxing.
The period of conversion was elastic, in some cases lasting over twenty years
Synonyms: adaptable, yielding, variable, flexible More Synonyms of elastic
4. countable noun
An elastic is a rubber band.
[mainly US]
elastic in British English
(ɪˈlæstɪk)
adjective
1.
(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation
2.
capable of adapting to change
an elastic schedule
3.
quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant
4.
springy or resilient
an elastic walk
5.
(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously
6. physics
(of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy
7.
made of elastic
noun
8.
tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape
9. mainly US and Canadian
something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter
Derived forms
elastically (eˈlastically)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from New Latin elasticus impulsive, from Greek elastikos, from elaunein to beat, drive
elastic in American English
(iˈlæstɪk; ɪˈlæstɪk)
adjective
1.
able to spring back to its original size, shape, or position after being stretched, squeezed, flexed, expanded, etc.; flexible; springy
2.
able to recover easily from dejection, fatigue, etc.; buoyant
an elastic temperament
3.
readily changed or changing to suit circumstances; adaptable
elastic regulations
4. Economics
responding to changes in price
said of the demand for, or supply of, particular goods or services
noun
5.
an elastic fabric made flexible by strands of rubber or a rubberlike synthetic running through it
6.
a band, garter, etc. of this material
7.
a rubber band
SYNONYMY NOTE: elastic implies ability to return without permanent injury to the original size or shapeafter being stretched, expanded, etc. [an elastic garter]; resilient implies ability to spring back quickly into shape after being deformed, esp. by compression[a healthy, resilient skin]; flexible refers to anything that can be bent without breaking, whether or not it returns toits original form [a flexible wire]; supple is applied to that which is easily bent, twisted, or folded without breaking, cracking,etc. [kidskin is supple]
OPPOSITES: rigid, stiff
Derived forms
elastically (eˈlastically)
adverb
Word origin
ModL elasticus < LGr elastikos < Gr elaunein, to set in motion, beat out < IE base *el-, to drive, move, go > ? lane1
Examples of 'elastic' in a sentence
elastic
Secure the ends with a second elastic band.
The Sun (2016)
The dough should be very smooth and elastic when stretched.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The structure is attached to the couple's first-floor bedroom window with a detachable elastic bungee cord.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He tried to get his thumb under the knicker elastic.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They have an elastic waist and the inner mesh pants mean no sweat patches.
The Sun (2013)
This will make the pastry less elastic and easier to roll.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Think of your muscles as elastic bands which stretch and recoil better when warm.
The Sun (2011)
The elastic strap was around his neck but the mask was not on his face.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They tied the birds to me with elastic bands.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The globe had suddenly become elastic and from all the new corners came the delicious luxuries.
Adam Nicolson GOD'S SECRETARIES: The Making of the King James Bible (2003)
The teams already felt that the season had been extended as far as the elastic would stretch.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Secure with an elastic band and lightly spritz with hairspray.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Give a general formula for a unitary elastic demand curve.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
It has become a more elastic and elective concept.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Then you will be back to square one and need another operation on skin now older and less elastic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
That's when the elastic rope comes in.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Pulse or mix until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He could melt knicker elastic at 40 paces.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 min until the dough is elastic and smooth.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Should I pack trousers with elastic waists?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Official time zones are a rather elastic concept in the Indian Ocean.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You run as far away as you can, working your muscles at a higher intensity as you pull against the resistance of the elastic cord.
The Sun (2012)
The jet-set will love the dinky sunglasses pouch, complete with a cleaning cloth on elastic cord.
The Sun (2010)
In other languages
elastic
British English: elastic /ɪˈlæstɪk/ NOUN
Elastic is a rubber material that stretches when you pull it and returns to its original size when you let it go.
She was wearing a bracelet of beads strung on a piece of elastic.
American English: elastic
Arabic: مَطَّاط
Brazilian Portuguese: elástico
Chinese: 弹性织物
Croatian: elastika
Czech: elastický
Danish: elastik
Dutch: elastiek
European Spanish: elástico
Finnish: kuminauha
French: élastique
German: Gummi
Greek: λάστιχο
Italian: elastico
Japanese: 弾性ゴム
Korean: 고무줄
Norwegian: strikk
Polish: guma rozciągliwy materiał
European Portuguese: elástico
Romanian: elastic
Russian: резинка
Latin American Spanish: elástico tejido que se estira
Swedish: resår
Thai: ความยืดหยุ่น
Turkish: lastik
Ukrainian: гумка
Vietnamese: chất cao su
British English: elastic ADJECTIVE
Something that is elastic is able to stretch easily and then return to its original size and shape.
Beat it until the dough is slightly elastic.
American English: elastic
Brazilian Portuguese: elástico
Chinese: 有弹性的
European Spanish: elástico
French: élastique
German: elastisch
Italian: elastico
Japanese: 弾力のある
Korean: 탄력성 있는
European Portuguese: elástico
Latin American Spanish: elástico
All related terms of 'elastic'
gum elastic
a cream to dark brown elastic material obtained by coagulating and drying the latex from certain plants, esp the tree Hevea brasiliensis
elastic band
An elastic band is a thin circle of very stretchy rubber that you can put around things in order to hold them together .
elastic limit
the greatest stress that can be applied to a material without causing permanent deformation
elastic modulus
the ratio of the stress applied to a body or substance to the resulting strain within the elastic limit
elastic rebound
a theory of earthquakes that envisages gradual deformation of the fault zone without fault slippage until friction is overcome , when the fault suddenly slips to produce the earthquake
elastic tissue
a connective tissue consisting largely of yellow , elastic fibers, occurring especially in the walls of arteries and veins
elastic stockings
something made of elastic which you wear on your legs to aid circulation
shirring elastic
elastic used for shirring
elastic deformation
In elastic deformation a material changes shape when a stress is applied to it but goes back to its original state when the stress is removed.
modulus of elasticity
the ratio of the stress applied to a body or substance to the resulting strain within the elastic limit
rubber band
A rubber band is a thin circle of very elastic rubber. You put it around things such as papers in order to keep them together.
Chinese translation of 'elastic'
elastic
(ɪˈlæstɪk)
n(u)
(= material) 橡皮 (xiàngpí)
adj
(= stretchy) 有弹(彈)性的 (yǒu tánxìng de)
(fig, = adaptable) 灵(靈)活的 (línghuó de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
capable of returning to its original shape after stretching, compression, or other distortion
Work the dough until it is slightly elastic.
Synonyms
flexible
brushes with long, flexible bristles
yielding
the soft yielding cushions
supple
The leather is supple and sturdy enough to last for years.
rubbery
pliable
The baskets are made with young, pliable spruce roots.
plastic
The mud is as soft and plastic as butter.
springy
Knead the dough until smooth and springy.
pliant
pliant young willows
tensile
stretchy
ductile
stretchable
Opposites
set
,
firm
,
stiff
,
rigid
,
inflexible
,
unyielding
,
immovable
2 (adjective)
Definition
capable of being adapted to meet the demands of a particular situation
an elastic interpretation of the rules
Synonyms
adaptable
yielding
variable
flexible
Their boss was flexible and lenient.
accommodating
tolerant
They need to be tolerant of different points of view.
adjustable
supple
Paul was incredibly supple and strong.
complaisant
Opposites
set
,
firm
,
strict
,
stiff
,
rigid
,
stringent
,
resolute
,
intractable
,
inflexible
,
unyielding
,
immovable
,
obdurate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ductile
Definition
(of a metal) able to be shaped into sheets or drawn out into threads
Synonyms
pliable,
plastic,
flexible,
malleable,
pliant,
tensile,
extensible
in the sense of plastic
Definition
capable of being moulded or formed
The mud is as soft and plastic as butter.
Synonyms
pliant,
soft,
flexible,
supple,
pliable,
tensile,
ductile,
mouldable,
fictile
in the sense of pliable
Definition
easily bent
The baskets are made with young, pliable spruce roots.