flexible

/ˈfleksəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfleksəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflek-sə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

flexible — 形容詞

  • flexiblepositive
  • more flexiblecomparative
  • most flexiblesuperlative

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

1.形容詞B1
釋義

彈性的

能隨情況調整改變的

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.

Eitan 的工作時間是彈性的，所以女兒生病時他可以晚點上班。

collocation: flexible schedule

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

這間公司為有年幼子女的家長提供彈性工時。

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

可彎曲的

可以彎折而不會斷裂的

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.

Hao 的瑜珈墊由可彎曲的橡膠製成，便於捲起攜帶。

collocation: flexible rubber

The flexible plastic tube bent around the corner without breaking.

那根可彎曲的塑膠管繞過角落，完全沒有斷裂。

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.