flexible

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableapproving

   Able to change easily to suit new conditions or needs.

   Grammar: Describes plans, people and arrangements: flexible hours.

   Patterns

   • flexible about something
   • flexible enough to do something

   The company offers flexible working hours.

   I am flexible about the date of the meeting.

   A flexible plan can handle surprises.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Able to bend easily without breaking.

   Grammar: Describes materials and bodies: a flexible cable.

   The flexible plastic tube bent around the corner.

   Gymnasts have flexible spines.

   The sword blade is thin and flexible.

Word forms

Common combinations

flexible schedule

A flexible schedule helps working parents.

flexible approach

She takes a flexible approach to teaching.

remain flexible

Try to remain flexible if plans change.

highly flexible

The software is highly flexible.

flexible friend

Many call a credit card a flexible friend.

Synonyms and how they differ

adaptable

Adaptable stresses the ability to adjust to new conditions, mostly for people and systems.

bendy

Bendy is informal and describes physical bending only.

pliable

Pliable describes something that bends easily and may also suggest being easily influenced.

versatile

Versatile means useful in many ways, not just able to change.

Opposites

Word family

flexibility noun

the ability to change or bend

flexibly adverb

in a flexible way

inflexible adjective

unwilling or unable to change

flex verb

to bend or tighten

Commonly confused: flexible or flexuous?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “flexible”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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