inflexible

inflexible — adjective

1. used to describe a person, rule, or system that completely refuses to change or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a person, rule, or system that completely refuses to change or accept different ideas or ways of doing things.

例句

The school's dress code was inflexible — even a different colour of socks was not allowed.

inflexible + noun (dress code, rule, system)

Ayesha found her manager's inflexible attitude frustrating when she asked for a later start time.

be + inflexible + about [something]

同義詞
  • rigid

    more neutral and technical; often used for systems and structures rather than people

  • uncompromising

    implies a refusal to make concessions, which can be positive (standing by principles) or negative

  • unyielding

    more formal; suggests firm resistance against pressure

  • stubborn

    more personal and mildly negative; focuses on the person's character rather than the rule

反義詞

文法句型

be + inflexible + about/in [something]

用法筆記

Often used with the prepositions 'about' or 'in' — for example, 'inflexible about the deadline' or 'inflexible in their methods'. The subject is typically a person in authority, an organisation, or a set of rules.

常見錯誤

❌She is inflexible to change the schedule.
✅She is inflexible about changing the schedule.
💡'inflexible' requires the preposition 'about' or 'in', not a to-infinitive.
❌My father is very inflexible.' (when describing a person's strict parenting style)
✅My father is very strict.
💡'strict' is more natural when the focus is on enforcing rules; 'inflexible' emphasises the refusal to adapt.

2. describes a material or object that is so stiff that it is difficult to bend, fo

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a material or object that is so stiff that it is difficult to bend, fold, or change its shape.

例句

The metal bar was too inflexible to fit into the curved frame.

too inflexible to [do something]

Caio's art project needed a plastic sheet that was not too inflexible to curl.

同義詞
  • stiff

    the most common everyday word; can describe body parts, fabrics, and materials

  • rigid

    more technical; suggests a structure that holds its shape firmly under pressure

  • unyielding

    emphasises that the object does not give way when force is applied

反義詞
  • flexible

    bends easily without breaking

  • supple

    bends and moves smoothly; often used for leather, fabric, or body movements

文法句型

be + inflexible

inflexible + noun

用法筆記

Primarily describes materials, tools, and natural objects. For a person's body, 'stiff' is the more natural everyday word — for example, 'My neck feels stiff' rather than 'inflexible'.

常見錯誤

❌After sitting for hours, my back feels inflexible.
✅After sitting for hours, my back feels stiff.
💡'stiff' is the standard word for body parts that are hard to move.
❌The cardboard is inflexible so it cannot fold.
✅The cardboard is too stiff to fold.
💡'stiff' or 'rigid' are more common than 'inflexible' for describing everyday materials.