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adj. 1. a. Capable of being bent or flexed; pliable: a flexible hose. b. Readily bending or twisting the body without injury: You can play soccer much better if you're flexible. 2. Able to change to cope with variable circumstances: "a flexible and quietly competent administrator" (Jerome Karabel). 3. Capable of being changed or adjusted to meet particular or varied needs: a job with flexible hours; a flexible definition of normality. [From Latin flexibilis, from flexus, past participle of flectere, to bend.] flex′i·bili·ty, flexi·ble·ness n. flexi·bly adv. Synonyms: flexible, elastic, resilient, supple These adjectives refer literally to what is capable of withstanding stress without damage and figuratively to what can undergo change or modification: a flexible wire; flexible plans; an elastic rubber band; an elastic interpretation of the law; thin, resilient copper; a resilient temperament; supple suede; a supple mind. |
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