A flexible object or material can be bent easily without breaking.
...brushes with long, flexible bristles.
Synonyms: pliable, plastic, yielding, elastic More Synonyms of flexible
flexibility (fleksɪbɪlɪti)uncountable noun
The flexibility of the lens decreases with age.
Synonyms: adaptability, openness, versatility, adjustability More Synonyms of flexible
Synonyms: complaisance, accommodation, give and take, amenability More Synonyms of flexible
Synonyms: elasticity, pliability, springiness, pliancy More Synonyms of flexible
2. adjective
Something or someone that is flexible is able to change easily and adapt to different conditions and circumstances as they occur.
[approval]
Look for software that's flexible enough for a range of abilities.
...flexible working hours.
Synonyms: adaptable, open, variable, adjustable More Synonyms of flexible
flexibly (fleksɪbli)graded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
It would seem more sensible to apply standards flexibly rather than rigidly.
flexibilityuncountable noun
The flexibility of distance learning would be particularly suited to busy managers.
Synonyms: adaptability, openness, versatility, adjustability More Synonyms of flexible
Synonyms: complaisance, accommodation, give and take, amenability More Synonyms of flexible
More Synonyms of flexible
flexible in British English
(ˈflɛksɪbəl)
adjective
1. Also: flexile (ˈflɛksaɪl)
able to be bent easily without breaking; pliable
2.
adaptable or variable
flexible working hours
3.
able to be persuaded easily; tractable
Derived forms
flexibility (ˌflexiˈbility) or flexibleness (ˈflexibleness)
noun
flexibly (ˈflexibly)
adverb
flexible in American English
(ˈflɛksəbəl)
adjective
1.
able to bend without breaking; not stiff or rigid; easily bent; pliant
2.
easily persuaded or influenced; tractable
3.
adjustable to change; capable of modification
a flexible voice
SIMILAR WORDS: eˈlastic
Derived forms
flexibility (ˌflexiˈbility)
noun
flexibly (ˈflexibly)
adverb
Word origin
ME < OFr < L flexibilis < flexus: see flex1
Examples of 'flexible' in a sentence
flexible
There needs to be a sea change when it comes to the question of flexible working.
The Sun (2016)
Many roles also offer flexible working and the chance to up your pay by increasing your hours.
The Sun (2016)
Both you and your partner need access to a degree of flexible working.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Make plans based on the resulting optimism, but ensure arrangements are flexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Spaces are kept neutral, flexible and adaptable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The practical effect of this change is that an employee has the statutory right to request flexible working for any reason at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This can be tricky when juggling home life with a demanding career - unless an employer is able to be flexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In future, as the electricity system becomes more flexible, this role will need to evolve as more electricity is supplied by volatile wind and solar power.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Now the council is planning to expand flexible working.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Will the pastor be able to be flexible?
Christianity Today (2000)
The modular system is so flexible that most students change their intended degree before graduation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They will want flexible working arrangements too.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Many of the protesters have jobs with flexible working hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The procedure for home inspectors must be flexible enough to adapt to a diverse range of disputes.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The flexible learning meant he could learn from home in his own time.
The Sun (2010)
Plus the hours seem very flexible and the workload light.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
These can be simple changes such as flexible working hours or passing on duties to a colleague.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Flexible working would allow me time off for study and exams.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The big thing is being able to be flexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Many of the jobs offer flexible hours so you can fit the work around other commitments.
The Sun (2015)
Distance learning is flexible but it is not an easy ride.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The system is so flexible that most change their intended course before graduation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Flexible working is an ideal way to help new mothers return to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Schools are able to be flexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This may also hold less appeal if he plans to move overseas in the longer term because it is not particularly flexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You don't need a particularly flexible body to try this stuff.
The Sun (2013)
I became very adaptable and flexible with wide experience and skills.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But couldn't the system have been flexible enough to allow the testing officer to wait for her to get to that venue?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
flexible
British English: flexible /ˈflɛksɪbl/ ADJECTIVE
A flexible object or material can be bent easily without breaking.
...flexible metal.
American English: flexible
Arabic: مَرِن
Brazilian Portuguese: flexível
Chinese: 灵活的
Croatian: savitljiv
Czech: pružný
Danish: fleksibel
Dutch: flexibel
European Spanish: flexible
Finnish: taipuisa
French: flexible
German: biegsam
Greek: εύκαμπτος
Italian: flessibile
Japanese: 曲げやすい
Korean: 구부릴 수 있는
Norwegian: fleksibel
Polish: elastyczny
European Portuguese: flexível
Romanian: flexibil
Russian: гибкий
Latin American Spanish: flexible
Swedish: böjlig
Thai: ยืดหดได้
Turkish: esnek
Ukrainian: гнучкий
Vietnamese: linh hoạt
All related terms of 'flexible'
flexible disk
a flexible removable magnetic disk that stores information and can be used to store data for use in a microprocessor
semi-flexible
partially flexible ; involving or possessing some flexibility
flexible hours
If you refer to the hours involved in a job , you are talking about how long you spend each week doing it and when you do it.
flexible joint
A flexible joint is a coupling which can transmit torque between two shafts which are not aligned .
flexible response
a military strategy that enables the response to an attack to be adapted to the nature and strength of the attack
flexible workforce
The workforce is the total number of people in a country or region who are physically able to do a job and are available for work.
flexible kelly hose
A flexible kelly hose is a hose which carries mud to the kelly.
flexible assembly system
A flexible assembly system is a set of machines or robots that can assemble many different kinds of products .
FSA
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
floppy disk
A floppy disk is a small magnetic disk that was used in the past for storing computer data and programs . Floppy disks were used especially with personal computers.
Chinese translation of 'flexible'
flexible
(ˈflɛksəbl)
adj
[material]柔韧(韌)的 (róurèn de)
[response, policy]灵(靈)活的 (línghuó de)
[person, schedule]机(機)动(動)的 (jīdòng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
able to be bent easily without breaking
brushes with long, flexible bristles
Synonyms
pliable
The baskets are made with young, pliable spruce roots.
plastic
The mud is as soft and plastic as butter.
yielding
the soft yielding cushions
elastic
Work the dough until it is slightly elastic.
supple
The leather is supple and sturdy enough to last for years.
lithe
His walk was lithe and graceful.
limber
He bent at the waist to show how limber his long back was.
springy
Knead the dough until smooth and springy.
willowy
She was a slim, willowy woman in her late thirties.
pliant
pliant young willows
tensile
stretchy
whippy
lissom(e)
ductile
bendable
mouldable
Opposites
tough
,
fixed
,
stiff
,
rigid
,
inflexible
,
unyielding
,
immovable
2 (adjective)
Definition
adaptable to changing circumstances
flexible working hours
Synonyms
adaptable
They are adaptable foragers that can survive on a wide range of foods.
open
variable
Weather conditions are variable and change from day to day.
adjustable
The bag has adjustable straps.
discretionary
Opposites
absolute
,
inflexible
3 (adjective)
Their boss was flexible and lenient.
Synonyms
compliant
a docile and compliant workforce
accommodating
manageable
amenable
I've never had a long-term relationship. I'm not amenable enough.
docile
They were docile, obedient children.
tractable
He could easily manage his tractable younger brother.
biddable
complaisant
responsive
gentle
Opposites
determined
,
staunch
,
intractable
,
inflexible
,
inexorable
,
unyielding
,
obdurate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adjustable
The bag has adjustable straps.
Synonyms
alterable,
flexible,
adaptable,
malleable,
movable,
tractable,
modifiable,
mouldable
in the sense of amenable
Definition
likely or willing to cooperate
I've never had a long-term relationship. I'm not amenable enough.
Synonyms
receptive,
open,
susceptible,
responsive,
agreeable,
compliant,
tractable,
acquiescent,
persuadable,
able to be influenced
in the sense of docile
Definition
(of a person or animal) easily controlled
They were docile, obedient children.
Synonyms
obedient,
manageable,
compliant,
amenable,
submissive,
pliant,
tractable,
biddable,
ductile,
teachable (rare)
Synonyms of 'flexible'
flexible
Explore 'flexible' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of willowy
Definition
slender and graceful
She was a slim, willowy woman in her late thirties.