B2 verb Neutral

flexible

/ˈflɛksəbl/

Describes something that can bend easily without breaking or someone who is able to change or be changed easily according to the situation. It is commonly used in both physical contexts and abstract contexts like time management or personality.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My yoga teacher is incredibly flexible and can touch her toes to her head.

My yoga teacher is incredibly flexible and can touch her toes to her head.

2

The committee proposed a flexible framework that can be adapted to various legal jurisdictions.

The committee proposed a flexible framework that can be adapted to various legal jurisdictions.

3

Don't worry about the time; I'm flexible, so just call me when you're ready.

Don't worry about the time; I'm flexible, so just call me when you're ready.

Word Family

Noun
flexibility
Verb
flex
Adverb
flexibly
Adjective
flexible
Related
reflex
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'flex'ing muscle: it is strong but it moves and bends easily rather than staying locked in one position.

Quick Quiz

Since our plans aren't set in stone, we can be ____ about which restaurant we choose.

Correct!

The correct answer is: flexible

Examples

1

My yoga teacher is incredibly flexible and can touch her toes to her head.

everyday

My yoga teacher is incredibly flexible and can touch her toes to her head.

2

The committee proposed a flexible framework that can be adapted to various legal jurisdictions.

formal

The committee proposed a flexible framework that can be adapted to various legal jurisdictions.

3

Don't worry about the time; I'm flexible, so just call me when you're ready.

informal

Don't worry about the time; I'm flexible, so just call me when you're ready.

4

The study suggests that a flexible curriculum leads to higher student engagement in higher education.

academic

The study suggests that a flexible curriculum leads to higher student engagement in higher education.

5

We offer flexible working hours to help our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.

business

We offer flexible working hours to help our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Word Family

Noun
flexibility
Verb
flex
Adverb
flexibly
Adjective
flexible
Related
reflex

Common Collocations

flexible schedule flexible schedule
flexible approach flexible approach
flexible working flexible working
flexible material flexible material
flexible response flexible response

Common Phrases

flexible hours

flexible hours

stay flexible

stay flexible

flexible budget

flexible budget

Often Confused With

flexible vs versatile

Versatile means having many different skills or uses, while flexible means being able to change or bend easily.

flexible vs adaptable

Adaptable is more specifically about changing oneself to fit a new environment, while flexible is the general ability to be changed.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'flexible' to describe people who are willing to change their plans, or objects that can bend without snapping. In business, it almost always refers to scheduling or policy adaptation.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'flexible' as a verb; remember that 'flex' is the verb and 'flexible' is the adjective.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'flex'ing muscle: it is strong but it moves and bends easily rather than staying locked in one position.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'flexibilis', from 'flectere' meaning 'to bend'.

Grammar Patterns

be flexible about something be flexible in something remain flexible
🌍

Cultural Context

In many modern corporate cultures, 'flexibility' is considered one of the most important 'soft skills' for employees to possess.

Quick Quiz

Since our plans aren't set in stone, we can be ____ about which restaurant we choose.

Correct!

The correct answer is: flexible

Related Phrases

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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