Flexible
/ˈflɛk.sə.bəl/noun
Able to bend easily without breaking; adaptable or pliant.
Did you know?Flexible comes from Latin flexibilis, from flectere, meaning “to bend,” the same ancient root behind several words of movement, turning, and even emotional “inclining.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰlegʷ- / *plek-
“A root associated with bending, folding, or weaving, depending on the branch”
Latin
Latin
flectere
“to bend, curve, or turn”
Late Latin
Latin
flexibilis
“capable of being bent”
Old French
Old French
flexible
“pliable, bendable”
Middle English
English
flexible
“capable of being bent; not rigid”
Modern English
English
flexible
“able to bend easily or adapt readily”
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