flex|i|ble

flex|i|ble
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:

  • 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

  • in|flex´i|ble|ness — in|flex|i|ble «ihn FLEHK suh buhl», adjective. 1. firm; unyielding; steadfast: »Neither threats nor promises could change the captain s inflexible determination. 2. that cannot be changed; unalterable: »In religion that law is written, and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|flex|i|ble — «ihn FLEHK suh buhl», adjective. 1. firm; unyielding; steadfast: »Neither threats nor promises could change the captain s inflexible determination. 2. that cannot be changed; unalterable: »In religion that law is written, and inflexible, never to …   Useful english dictionary

  • re|flex|i|ble — «rih FLEHK suh buhl», adjective. that can be reflected …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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

  • ble — ab·di·ca·ble; abom·i·na·ble; abus·a·ble; ac·ces·si·ble; ac·com·mo·da·ble; ac·cost·a·ble; ac·cu·mu·la·ble; ac·cus·a·ble; ace·to·sol·u·ble; achie·va·ble; acid·i·fi·a·ble; ac·knowl·edge·a·ble; act·a·ble; ac·ti·va·ble; ac·tu·al·iz·a·ble; add·a·ble;… …   English syllables

  • flex|i|place — «FLEHK see PLAYS», noun. a workplace at home connected by a computer to an office. ╂[< flexi(ble) + (work)place] …   Useful english dictionary

  • in·flex·i·ble — …   Useful english dictionary

  • flexible — flex·i·ble …   English syllables

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