flexibility
flek-suh-BIL-i-tee
/ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/
The quality of bending easily without breaking; the ability to be easily modified.
In gymnastics, it refers to the range of motion in a joint or group of joints.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'flectere', meaning 'to bend'. It shares a history with 'reflect' (to bend light back) and 'inflect' (to bend the voice).
Word relationships
- suppleness: Suppleness often implies a graceful, fluid quality, while flexibility is more about the raw range of motion.
- rigidity: The inability to bend or be forced out of shape.
Commonly confused with
- elasticity: Elasticity is the ability to snap back to an original shape; flexibility is just the ability to bend.
Word family
- flexible (adjective): Capable of bending easily.
- flex (verb): To bend a limb or joint.
Collocations
- extraordinary flexibility
- improve flexibility
- lack of flexibility
Example sentences
- "Daily stretching is essential to maintain the flexibility required for splits." Training
- "Flexibility is the key to avoiding injury in any sport." General
Memory hook
Flex your muscles to show your flexibility. The ability to bend.
When not to use
While it can mean 'adaptability' in business, in gymnastics it is purely physical.
Fun facts
- Hyper-flexibility can sometimes be a medical condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
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