Flexible Meaning
/ˈflɛk.sɪ.bəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjCapable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned or twisted without breaking.
adjWilling or prone to give way to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate.
Sentence Examples
The education system needs to be more flexible.
You must be flexible in your thinking.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The yoga instructor demonstrated how to be more ____, bending her body into complex poses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new plastic material is incredibly ____, allowing it to be bent into almost any shape required.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French flexible, from Latin flexibilis, from flectō (“to bend, curve”). Morphologically flex + -ible.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks."
— c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"Phocion the Athenian (a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people[…]"
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the chapter)”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
"Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible."
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
"This they foresaw was a Principle more flexible to their Purpose"
— 1735, John Rogers, Nineteen Sermons on various occasions:
"Alcan is mostly flexibles -- and so it boosts Amcor's flexible packaging business to a globally significant $7 billion one."
— 2009 August 19, Terry McCrann, “Win-win deal for the times”, in Herald Sun, archived from the original on 22 Aug 2009:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The yoga instructor demonstrated how to be more ____, bending her body into complex poses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new plastic material is incredibly ____, allowing it to be bent into almost any shape required.