1
[ adjective ] able to flex; able to bend easily

Synonyms

flexile

Examples

"slim flexible birches"

Used in print

(The Christian Science Monitor,...)

This big , flexible voice with uncommon range has been superbly disciplined .

(William S. Haymond, "Is Distance an Original...)

( 1 ) When an object was placed in the patient 's hand , he had no difficulty determining whether it was warm or cold , sharp or blunt , rough or smooth , flexible , soft , or hard ; and he could tell , simply by the feel of it , whether it was made of wood , iron , cloth , rubber , and_so_on .

2
[ adjective ] extended meanings; capable of change

Examples

"a flexible character" "flexible schedules"

Used in print

([Anonymous,] "The Attack on Employee Services"...)

Keep the retirement age flexible so skilled craftsmen such_as tool and die makers can be kept on_the_job for the convenience of the company .

(Committee for Economic Development, Distressed...)

The opportunity exists for states to reserve some of their vocational education funds to apply on an ad_hoc flexible basis to subsidize any local preemployment_training_programs that my be quickly set_up in a community to aid a new industrial plant .

3
[ adjective ] bends and snaps back readily without breaking

Used in print

(Bonnie Prudden, "The Dancer and the Gymnast"...)

These are beginnings , but correctly learned they prepare for satisfying and exciting stunts that can be performed by a strong , flexible body ( we are not talking of eccentric extremes ) .

Related terms

elastic

4
[ adjective ] able to adjust readily to different conditions

Examples

"an adaptable person" "a flexible personality" "an elastic clause in a contract"

Used in print

(Frederick Mosteller et al., Probability with...)

These examples are illustrative of the use of the words `` trial '' and `` experiment '' as they are used in this chapter , but they are quite flexible words and it is well not to restrict them too narrowly .

Related terms

adaptable

5
[ adjective ] making or willing to make concessions

Examples

"loneliness tore through him...whenever he thought of...even the compromising Louis du Tillet"

Related terms

uncompromising yielding

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