flex´i|bly

flex´i|bly
flex|i|ble «FLEHK suh buhl», adjective.
1. that can be bent without breaking; not stiff; easily bent in all directions: »

Leather, rubber, and wire are flexible.

2. Figurative. easily adapted to fit various conditions: »

The actor's flexible voice accommodated itself to every emotion. Important principles may and must be flexible (Abraham Lincoln).

3. Figurative. easily managed; willing to yield to influence or persuasion; tractable: »

Can you conceive that the people…will long submit to be governed by so flexible a House of Commons? (Junius Letters).

╂[< Latin flexibilis < flexus; see etym. under flex (Cf. ↑flex)]
–flex´i|ble|ness, noun.
–flex´i|bly, adverb.
Synonym Study 1, 3 Flexible, pliant, limber mean easily bent. Flexible means capable of being bent or twisted easily and without breaking, or, used figuratively of people and their minds, etc., of being adaptable and able to turn easily from one situation or subject to another: »

Great thinkers have flexible minds.

Pliant means inherently tending to bend, or, figuratively, to yield easily to an influence: »

He was too weak and pliant to make up his own mind.

Limber, used chiefly of the body, means having flexible muscles and joints and suggests easy movement: »

A dancer has limber legs.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • in|flex|i|bly — «ihn FLEHK suh blee», adverb. in an inflexible manner; rigidly; inexorably …   Useful english dictionary

  • flex´i|ble|ness — flex|i|ble «FLEHK suh buhl», adjective. 1. that can be bent without breaking; not stiff; easily bent in all directions: »Leather, rubber, and wire are flexible. 2. Figurative. easily adapted to fit various conditions: »The actor s flexible voice… …   Useful english dictionary

  • flex|i|ble — «FLEHK suh buhl», adjective. 1. that can be bent without breaking; not stiff; easily bent in all directions: »Leather, rubber, and wire are flexible. 2. Figurative. easily adapted to fit various conditions: »The actor s flexible voice… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bly — ad·vis·a·bly; af·fa·bly; agree·a·bly; al·low·a·bly; am·bly·ce·phal·i·dae; am·bly·chro·mat·ic; am·bly·dac·ty·la; am·bly·om·ma; am·bly·o·pia; am·bly·op·sis; am·bly·o·scope; am·bly·pod; am·bly·rhyn·chus; am·bly·si·pho·nel·la; ame·na·bly; ami·a·bly;… …   English syllables

  • flex — an·te·flex·ion; a·re·flex·ia; de·flex·ion; dor·si·flex; dor·si·flex·or; flex·i·bil·i·ty; flex·i·bi·lize; flex·i·ble·ness; flex·i·bly; flex·ile; flex·ive; flex; flex·o·graph·ic; flex·og·ra·phy; flex·om·e·ter; flex·or; flex·u·os·i·ty; flex·u·ous;… …   English syllables

  • flexibly — flex·i·bly …   English syllables

  • flexible — flex•i•ble [[t]ˈflɛk sə bəl[/t]] adj. 1) capable of being bent, usu. without breaking; easily bent 2) susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule[/ex] 3) willing or disposed to yield; pliable; tractable: a flexible… …   From formal English to slang

  • inflexible — in•flex•i•ble [[t]ɪnˈflɛk sə bəl[/t]] adj. 1) not flexible; incapable of or resistant to being bent; rigid: an inflexible plastic rod[/ex] 2) of an unyielding temper, purpose, will, etc.; immovable: an inflexible determination[/ex] 3) not… …   From formal English to slang

  • Flexible — Flex i*ble, a. [L. flexibilis: cf. F. flexible.] 1. Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle. [1913 Webster] When the splitting wind Makes …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Flexibleness — Flexible Flex i*ble, a. [L. flexibilis: cf. F. flexible.] 1. Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle. [1913 Webster] When the splitting… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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