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flexible

flexible

155 3.4
Able to change or be changed to fit different situations
  • adjective
  • /ˈflɛksəbl/
translation icon : flexible
  • All students are better served when instruction is flexible and there are options for learning and responding.
  • a flexible schedule
  • flexible scheduling
  • flexible working

Be stubborn on vision, but flexible on the details.

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Examples

  • Having a flexible work schedule allows him to manage both his job and his studies effectively.

  • What jobs, if they have them, are flexible enough to allow time for school?

    Academic text (2011)
  • Now, that leaves it flexible on issues of class.

  • Just be open to allow that to be flexible and to change.

  • You need to be willing to be flexible and change with the times.

    Academic text (2008)
  • You have a flexible schedule.

  • Companies can only succeed if they are flexible enough to follow customer demand.

    Academic text (2011)
  • For middle-grade fiction, we created a system that is flexible and allows for different solutions.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Both have built manufacturing systems flexible enough to adapt to the ever-changing needs of their customers.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The key issue is responsiveness, and lawyers working reduced or flexible schedules are generally able to provide it.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

adaptive
vsflexible
33 4.9

Able to change to fit new conditions

is willing to change in many situations, not only by external pressure
adaptable
vsflexible
23 3.4

Able to change to fit new situations

is willing to change oneself rather than only being changed
accommodating
vsflexible
17 4.8

Willing to help others and change plans for them

is willing to change in many contexts, not only to please others
malleable
vsflexible
12 6.0

Easily influenced by others and likely to change opinions

is willing to change by choice rather than being passively shaped
plastic
vsflexible
8 5.5

Easily changed or influenced, like a child's mind

is willing to change but not necessarily easily subject to influence
pliable
vsflexible
8 4.2

Easy to bend or shape

is about changing attitude or plans rather than physical bendability
elastic
vsflexible
7 3.4

Able to change easily and deal with new situations

is willing to change but not focused on rapid responsiveness
supple
vsflexible
3 4.4

Able to change and adapt easily to new ideas or situations

is willing to change across situations without implying graceful style
pliant
vsflexible
1 6.5

Willing to change ideas or plans to fit a situation

is willing to change but not necessarily easily swayed by others
limber
vsflexible
1 4.7

Able to adapt easily to new ideas and situations

is willing to change across needs and ideas rather than mainly physical ease
chameleonic
vsflexible
1 8.3

Able to change appearance or behaviour easily to fit different situations

is willing to change without implying opportunistic or untrustworthy intent
hyperflexible
vsflexible
5.6

Able to change quickly to fit different needs

is willing and able to change but less extreme in degree
adaptative
vsflexible
7.5

Able to change to fit new conditions

is about personal willingness to change rather than just capacity
like a willow in the wind
vsflexible
  • Informal
8.1

Able to bend and change without breaking

is willing to change but does not stress inner resilience or poetry

Antonyms

35 4.0

Does not bend because it is stiff

11 4.7

Not willing to change or accept other ideas

Compounds

A part that connects two pieces and lets one move compared to the other

flexible harrow
  • Specialized
8.1

A farming tool with small metal teeth that follows the ground to remove weeds

6.3

A thin flexible tube with a light used to look inside the lower part of the colon

6.3

A test in which a thin tube with a camera goes into the lower bowel to look for small growths

A system that can change easily to fit different needs

How Flexible

versatile
55 6.3
flexible
155 3.4
adaptable
23 3.4
rigid
70 4.2

Surface Forms

flexible positive
flexibler comparative
flexiblest superlative

Morphology

flexible = flex (transparent) = flex + ible

The word 'flexible' is transparently derived from 'flex' with the suffix '-ible', indicating the ability to be bent or adapted.

Etymology

Flexible comes from the old Latin roots flex and flectere, meaning 'bend'. So a flexible person, plan, or rule can 'bend' to fit new needs or situations.