flexibility

flexibility — noun

1. the capacity to adjust your thinking, schedule, or behaviour when the situation

1.名詞B2
釋義

the capacity to adjust your thinking, schedule, or behaviour when the situation requires a change from what you first intended.

例句

Xiu valued the flexibility of her new job, which let her work from home twice a week.

flexibility of [work arrangement]

The company showed flexibility by extending the project deadline when the team faced unexpected delays.

show + flexibility + by + gerund

同義詞
  • adaptability

    slightly narrower — focuses on adjusting to new conditions rather than changing plans generally

  • versatility

    emphasises being useful in many different roles or situations, not just the willingness to adjust

  • elasticity

    more formal and metaphorical; often used for systems, budgets, or rules rather than people

反義詞
  • rigidity

    strict unwillingness to change plans or rules

  • inflexibility

    direct opposite; unwillingness to adjust under any circumstances

文法句型

flexibility + in + [noun/gerund]

flexibility + of + [noun/possessive noun]

show/display + flexibility

用法筆記

Frequently appears with show, display, or demonstrate. The subject or possessor is usually a person, organisation, or system — never a physical object. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about willingness to change, not about physical bending.

常見錯誤

❌I need more flexibility to touch my toes.
✅I need more flexibility in my schedule to attend the yoga class.
💡'flexibility' for physical bending belongs to sense 2; for adapting plans, use sense 1.
❌The rubber band has good flexibility for wrapping the package.
✅The rubber band has good stretch for wrapping the package.
💡'flexibility' of a physical object is sense 2, but 'rubber band' is better described with 'stretch' or 'elasticity'.

2. the physical property of a material or body part that allows it to bend, stretch

2.名詞B2
釋義

the physical property of a material or body part that allows it to bend, stretch, or be reshaped without cracking, snapping, or causing injury.

例句

Yoga improves your physical flexibility by stretching the muscles and joints regularly.

improve + physical flexibility

The flexibility of this rubber hose makes it ideal for connecting awkward pipes under the sink.

flexibility of [material]

同義詞
  • suppleness

    more literary; emphasises smooth, effortless bending, often of a body or fabric

  • pliability

    technical; emphasises being easily shaped or moulded rather than just bending

  • elasticity

    specifically describes the ability to return to original shape after stretching

反義詞
  • stiffness

    resistance to bending; a stiff object is hard to bend or move

  • rigidity

    complete inability to bend; a rigid object will snap rather than bend

文法句型

flexibility + of + [material/body part]

improve/increase + flexibility

用法筆記

Subject or possessor is always a physical entity — a material (rubber, plastic, metal, wood) or a body part (muscles, joints, spine). Never used for people's willingness to change. The verb improve collocates strongly with this sense when talking about exercise or training.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher showed flexibility by letting us submit homework late.
✅The teacher showed flexibility in her grading policy.
💡'showed flexibility' describes willingness to change (sense 1), not physical bending.