springy

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Quickly returning to its shape after being pressed, stretched or bent, so that it seems to bounce.

   Grammar: Can be used before a noun or after be: a springy mattress, the grass is springy.

   Patterns

   • springy underfoot
   • springy to the touch

   The springy turf made the field a pleasure to walk on.

   This mattress feels firm but springy.

   Fresh bread should be soft and springy when you press it.

2. 2adjectivecomparablefigurative

   Lively and light in movement, showing energy when walking or running.

   Grammar: Often describes a step or stride: he walked with a springy step.

   Patterns

   • a springy step

   He had a springy step despite the long climb.

   The dancers' springy movements filled the stage with energy.

   After a good night's sleep she felt springy and ready to run.

Word forms

Common combinations

springy mattress

A springy mattress can be tiring for light sleepers.

springy step

She crossed the lawn with a springy step.

springy curls

Her springy curls bounced as she ran.

springy turf

Sheep grazed on the springy turf.

springy texture

Overcooked noodles lose their springy texture.

Synonyms and how they differ

elastic

Elastic stresses stretching and returning to shape, while springy suggests a bounce when pressed or walked on.

bouncy

Bouncy is more playful and stronger, suggesting a lot of rebound.

flexible

Flexible means easy to bend but does not imply that it snaps back.

resilient

Resilient is more formal and often used for people or materials that recover from damage.

Opposites

Word family

spring noun

a coil of metal that returns to its shape

spring verb

to jump suddenly

springiness noun

the quality of being springy

springily adverb

in a bouncing way

Commonly confused: springy or spring-like?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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