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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Flexible: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：adaptable (flexible)

flexible 🔊

/ˈfleksəbl/

adj.

Able to change or adjust easily when the situation or needs change.

Illustration of a flexible person adjusting a standing desk in a home office.

adaptable 🔊

➕

/əˈdæptəb(ə)l/

adj.

Describes a person, plan, or system that is able to change or be changed easily according to circumstances.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'flexibilis' (able to bend), from 'flectere' (to bend).

💡 Mnemonic

FLEXible people FLEX their plans to fit new situations.

📖 Example

My yoga teacher is very flexible and can show us many difficult poses. 🔊 My yoga teacher is very adaptable and can demonstrate numerous challenging postures for us.

🔗 Collocations

flexible approach – a way of doing things that can be easily modified

flexible working hours – a schedule that allows variation in start and end times

flexible mindset – an open and adaptable way of thinking

🔄 Synonyms

adaptable (adj.) – able to adjust to new conditions.

versatile (adj.) – able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.

accommodating (adj.) – willing to fit in with someone's wishes or needs.

🚫 Antonyms

inflexible (adj.) – unwilling to change or adapt; rigid.

rigid (adj.) – unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible in thinking.

stubborn (adj.) – having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.

🌱 Derivatives

flexibility (n.) – the quality of being able to bend easily or be easily modified.

flexibly (adv.) – in a way that is able to change or adapt easily.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English from Latin in the early 15th century, initially describing physical materials that could bend. Its meaning expanded to describe adaptable people and systems, notably popularized in the late 20th century with terms like 'flexible working hours' in modern workplace culture.

Meaning 2：pliable (flexible)

flexible 🔊

/ˈfleksəbl/

adj.

An object or material that can bend easily without breaking.

Visual guide showing flexible material as hands stretch a yellow rubber band.

pliable 🔊

➕

/ˈplaɪəb(ə)l/

adj.

Describes a physical material or object that can bend easily without breaking or losing its form.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

This garden hose is made of very flexible plastic, so it's easy to move around. 🔊 This garden hose is constructed from highly pliable plastic, making it simple to maneuver.

🔗 Collocations

flexible material – a substance that can be bent without breaking

flexible tubing – a hollow pipe that can be easily curved or shaped

highly flexible – describes something with an exceptional ability to bend

🔄 Synonyms

pliable (adj.) – easily bent; flexible.

supple (adj.) – bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.

bendable (adj.) – capable of being bent out of shape permanently.

🚫 Antonyms

rigid (adj.) – unable to bend or be forced out of shape.

stiff (adj.) – not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid.

brittle (adj.) – hard but liable to break or shatter easily.