flexible

flexible — adjective

1. describes a person, plan, or system that can change easily when new needs, condi

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a person, plan, or system that can change easily when new needs, conditions, or limits appear — rather than staying fixed to one way of doing things.

例句

Eitan's work schedule is flexible, so he can start later when his daughter is sick.

collocation: flexible schedule

The company offers flexible working hours for parents with young children.

collocation: flexible working hours

同義詞
  • adaptable

    very close in meaning; emphasises the ability to adjust to new conditions rather than willingness to change plans

  • adjustable

    more mechanical — used for objects with settings (e.g. an adjustable chair) rather than people or policies

  • versatile

    broader — describes something that has many uses or a person who can do many things well

反義詞
  • inflexible

    direct opposite; refuses to change despite new circumstances

  • rigid

    stronger than inflexible; suggests strictness that cannot be altered at all

  • fixed

    describes something that is set and deliberately not changed

文法句型

flexible enough + to-infinitive

flexible about/in/with + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often describes arrangements (schedules, rules, policies) rather than personal character — though 'a flexible person' is also common.

常見錯誤

❌She is very flexible for learning new languages.
✅She is very flexible about learning new languages.
💡'flexible about' is the correct preposition to indicate the area in which change is possible.
❌The manager was flexible with changed the plan.
✅The manager was flexible about changing the plan.
💡'flexible about' is followed by a gerund (changing), not a past-tense verb.

2. describes a material or object that can be bent, curved, or twisted without crac

2.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a material or object that can be bent, curved, or twisted without cracking or snapping.

例句

Hao's yoga mat is made of flexible rubber that rolls up easily for travel.

collocation: flexible rubber

The flexible plastic tube bent around the corner without breaking.

collocation: flexible plastic

同義詞
  • bendable

    more informal and everyday; common in product descriptions

  • pliable

    suggests softness and ease of bending, often for leather, clay, or fabric

  • supple

    suggests smooth, graceful bending — often used for skin, leather, or the body

反義詞
  • stiff

    resists bending; the most common everyday opposite

  • rigid

    cannot bend at all; often used for structures or materials that hold their shape

  • brittle

    breaks easily when bent — describes glass, dry leaves, or old plastic

文法句型

flexible + noun (material or object)

用法筆記

Subject is typically a solid material such as plastic, rubber, metal, wood, or leather. Do not use for liquids, gases, or brittle substances like glass.

常見錯誤

❌The rubber band is flexibility.
✅The rubber band is flexible.
💡'flexible' is an adjective; 'flexibility' is the noun form.