suppleness

/ˈsʌplnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌplnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsəpəlnə̇s How to pronounce suppleness (audio) ÷ˈsüp-/ (ame, mw)

suppleness — noun

1. the physical quality of a material or a part of the body that allows it to bend,

1.名詞B1
釋義

the physical quality of a material or a part of the body that allows it to bend, stretch, or move into different shapes without breaking or causing pain

例句

Heather does yoga every morning to maintain the suppleness of her spine and shoulders.

collocation: maintain suppleness

The leather of Bao's old saddle lost its suppleness after years in the hot sun.

inanimate subject: lost its suppleness

同義詞
  • flexibility

    more common in everyday speech; suppleness suggests a softer, more fluid quality

  • elasticity

    focuses on the ability to return to original shape after stretching, especially of materials

  • pliability

    suggests easy bending without cracking, used for leather, plant stems, or metal

反義詞
  • stiffness

    the opposite of easy bending; muscles or materials that resist movement

  • rigidity

    suggests complete resistance to bending, more formal than stiffness

用法筆記

Often describes skin, muscles, leather, rubber, or plant stems. Frequently paired with 'strength' in fitness and dance contexts.

常見錯誤

❌This rubber band has good supple.
✅This rubber band has good suppleness.
💡'supple' is an adjective; use the noun form 'suppleness'.

2. the quality of being able to adjust your ideas, methods, or plans quickly when c

2.名詞B2
釋義

the quality of being able to adjust your ideas, methods, or plans quickly when conditions change or new problems arise

例句

Sade's mental suppleness helped her move from banking to teaching without difficulty.

collocation: mental suppleness

A project leader needs intellectual suppleness to adapt the team's approach halfway through.

同義詞
  • adaptability

    more common in everyday use; suppleness suggests a smoother, more effortless kind of change

  • versatility

    focuses on the range of different skills or roles, not on the speed of change

  • flexibility

    the most common synonym; suppleness adds a nuance of fluidity and grace

反義詞
  • rigidity

    unwillingness or inability to change methods or opinions

  • inflexibility

    more informal than rigidity; a refusal to adapt to new circumstances

用法筆記

Used in formal or professional contexts (business, leadership, education). Unlike sense 1, this sense describes mental or organisational qualities, never physical objects.

常見錯誤

❌I admire her supple mind.
✅I admire her mental suppleness.
💡'supple' is rare with abstract nouns in modern English; use 'suppleness' instead.