flexible

USAGE SUMMARY

'flexible' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is able to adapt easily to changing circumstances. For example, "The schedule was flexible, so we were able to easily adjust our plans when needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Flexibility is as important as sustainability: Community-based healthcare systems must be flexible enough to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of those in their areas, and the roles of community health workers will have to adapt accordingly.

The Guardian

Python is an extremely powerful and flexible language that will let you build lots of software and you can even use it to interface with hardware on the Pi.

The Guardian - Tech

Third, with the lifting of the cap on student numbers in 2015, now is a perfect chance for all institutions to be flexible.

The Guardian

The agency found small business have limited awareness of gender equality and pay equity and was impacted more acutely than big business by things such as parental leave costs and also faced challenges when it came to implementing flexible work arrangements.

The Guardian

He added: "With the fully flexible Isa, people will have complete freedom to take money out and put it back in later in the year, without losing any of their tax-free entitlement".

The Guardian - Money

If we needed another example of the growing divide between young workers – most of them on short-term, flexible contracts – and those, usually older, who have secured a better deal, then look no further than Sports Direct.

The Guardian

While it is true that many of the workers on zero hours are students who enjoy flexible working, as ministers in this and the last government have emphasised, it is worth saying again that zero hours consigns people with families to a hand-to-mouth existence where credit is more expensive, if not impossible to find.

The Guardian

January 2012: Wonga withdraws student loans information from its website after an outcry over a page which told students its service was more flexible than student loans.

The Guardian - Business

This is spreading from catering and care to the hiring of doctors and lecturers – a pre-trade-union, wild west, "flexible" market.

The Guardian - Opinion

While 91% of respondents found their work flexible and 56% found it rewarding, 71% experienced stigma and said they had lied about their job and lived in fear of being recognised.

The Guardian

In Congo and Central African Republic, Sawyer said Invisible Children has been "some of the quickest organizations to respond to the needs on the ground, very flexible and willing to work with and listen to the local communities".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing plans or strategies, "flexible" suggests a willingness to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, promoting resilience and responsiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "flexible" as a generic term for anything positive. Instead, specify what aspect is flexible, such as "flexible schedule" or "flexible approach", to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flexible" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their capacity to adapt, bend, or change easily. As Ludwig AI underlines, it accurately describes the ability to adjust to different circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "flexible" functions primarily as an adjective, conveying the property of being adaptable and easily modified. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage is common across news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discourse, indicating its versatility. When writing, ensure the context clearly specifies what aspect is flexible to avoid ambiguity. Alternative terms like "adaptable", "pliable", and "adjustable" can be used to add nuance depending on the specific meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adaptable

Focuses on the ability to change to fit new conditions.

pliable

Emphasizes being easily influenced or bent.

adjustable

Highlights the capacity to be modified or altered.

versatile

Suggests competence in many different things.

malleable

Implies being easily shaped or molded.

compliant

Stresses willingness to obey or agree.

accommodating

Highlights a willingness to help or make concessions.

tractable

Focuses on being easily managed or controlled.

yielding

Emphasizes giving way to pressure or influence.

elastic

Implies the ability to stretch or return to original form.

FAQs

How can I use "flexible" in a sentence?

You can use "flexible" to describe something or someone adaptable. For example, "The company offers "flexible working hours"" or "She has a very "flexible approach" to problem-solving".

What can I say instead of "flexible"?

You can use alternatives like "adaptable", "pliable", or "adjustable" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone is described as "flexible"?

When someone is described as "flexible", it usually means they are open to change, adaptable to different situations, and willing to adjust their plans or methods.

Is it better to be "flexible" or "rigid"?

It depends on the situation. Being "flexible" allows for adaptation and quick responses to changing circumstances, while being rigid provides stability and adherence to rules, which can be important in certain contexts.