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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary flex·i·ble DATE 15th century 1. capable of being flexed : pliant 2. yielding to influence : tractable 3. characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements a flexible foreign policy a flexible schedule Synonyms: see elastic English Etymology flexible c.1412, from L. flexibilis "that may be bent, pliant," from flexus,pp. of flectere "to bend," of uncertain origin. Flex is a back-formation, first recorded 1521. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 flexible flex·ible / 5fleksEbl / adjective1. (approving) able to change to suit new conditions or situations 能适应新情况的；灵活的；可变动的: a more flexible approach 更灵活的方法 flexible working hours 弹性工作时间 Our plans need to be flexible enough to cater for the needs of everyone. 我们的计划必须能够变通,以满足每个人的需要。 You need to be more flexible and imaginative in your approach. 你的方法必须更加灵活,更富有想像力。 2. able to bend easily without breaking 柔韧的；可弯曲的；有弹性的: flexible plastic tubing 挠性塑料管 OPP inflexible • flexi·bil·ity / 7fleksE5bilEti / noun [U] : Computers offer a much greater degree of flexibility in the way work is organized. 利用计算机,工作安排可以灵活得多。 exercises to develop the flexibility of dancers' bodies 增加跳舞者身体柔软度的训练动作 • flex·ibly adv. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English flexible adj. VERBS be, seem | become | remain | make sth We need to make the working day more flexible. | keep sth ADV. extremely, highly, very | completely, fully, perfectly, totally | infinitely Human beings are infinitely flexible and able to adjust when survival depends on it. | fairly, pretty, quite, reasonably, relatively | enough, sufficiently | insufficiently PHRASES about My mother is fairly flexible about what time I need to be home. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition adj. Function: adjective Synonyms: ELASTIC 1, resilient, springy, stretch, stretchy, supple, whippy Related Words: amenable, docile, manageable, tractable; acquiescent, compliant Contrasted Words: brittle, crisp, fragile, frangible; firm, hard, rigid, stiff, unyielding, wooden; intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable; callous, hardened, indurated Antonyms: inflexible Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: flexible binding , or flexible collodion , or flexible constitution , or flexible glue , or flexible gunnery , or flexible sandstone , or flexible sewing , or flexible shaft , or flexible tariff , or flexible wheelbase flex·i·ble I. \ˈfleksəbəl\ adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin flexibilis, from flexus + -ibilis -ible 1. : capable of being flexed : capable of being turned, bowed, or twisted without breaking : pliable < using ointments to keep the healing surface flexible > < slim flexible birches bowing in the wind > 2. : willing or ready to yield to the influence of others : not invincibly rigid or obstinate : tractable , manageable < a flexible character, pleasant and cooperative but without strong convictions > 3. : characterized by ready capability for modification or change, by plasticity, pliancy, variability, and often by consequent adaptability to new situations < a highly flexible curriculum > < a living and flexible and growing morality — Havelock Ellis > < a flexible schedule of rates > 4. : featuring flexible binding or flexible sewing < a flexible edition > — see spine illustrationSynonyms: elastic , resilient , springy , supple : flexible is applicable to anything capable of being bent, turned, or twisted without being broken and with or without returning of itself to its former shape < plumbing is easier with flexible copper tubing > < a flexible thin steel runner > elastic indicates ability to stretch, expand, or take on new shape under pressure, usually with return to an original shape or position after pressure is withdrawn < a body … is elastic when, and only when, it tends to recover its initial condition when the distorting force is removed. For example, lead, putty, and chewing gum are not elastic. Steel, rubber, air, most substances in fact, are more or less elastic — A.L.Foley > resilient stresses an ability to spring back and recover shape with the removal of pressure < resilient natural rubber > < the resilient qualities of a tennis ball > < resilient mattresses and cushions > springy is a nontechnical word with meanings and suggestions of both elastic and resilient < a springy turf > < a bed of springy pine needles — S.E.White > < her bright brown hair rose in springy waves from her forehead, piled high on her head — Marcia Davenport > supple applies to whatever bends, flexes, or folds with reasonable ease and shows resistance to cracking, breaking, or splitting < supplest calfskin > < a pullover of supple chamois > II. noun (-s) : something that is flexible |
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