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Elastic vs Flexible - What's the difference?

elastic | flexible |

As adjectives the difference between elastic and flexible

is that elastic is capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released while flexible is capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; not stiff or brittle.

As nouns the difference between elastic and flexible

is that elastic is an elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs while flexible is something that is flexible.

elastic

English

Alternative forms

* elastick (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.
    • The rope is somewhat elastic , so expect it to give when you pull on it.
  • Made of elastic.
    • elastic band
  • Of clothing, elasticated.
  • (economics) Sensitive to changes in price.
    • Demand for entertainment is more elastic than demand for energy.
  • springy; bouncy; vivacious
  • * 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,
    • He could see that she was tastefully, though not richly, dressed, and that she walked with an elastic step that revealed a light heart and the vigor of perfect health. Her face, of course, he could not analyze, since he had caught only the one brief but convincing glimpse of it.
  • Able to return quickly to a former state or condition, after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to recover easily from shocks and trials.
    • elastic''' spirits; an '''elastic constitution

    Synonyms

    * stretchy * stretchable

    Related terms

    * elasticated * elasticated * elastic band * inelastic * elasticity

    Noun

  • (uncountable) An elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs.
    • Running shorts use elastic to eliminate the need for a belt.
  • (countable) An elastic band.

    • External links

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    Anagrams

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    flexible

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; not stiff or brittle.
    • When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks. -
  • Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.
    • Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people. - .
    Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible . -
  • Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a flexible language.
    • This was a principle more flexible to their purpose. -Rogers.

    Synonyms

    * bendsome * ductile * inconstant * manageable * obsequious * pliant * pliable * supple * tractable * wavering

    Derived terms

    * flexibly * flexibleness

    Related terms

    * flexibility * inflexible

    See also

    * foldable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly, engineering, and, manufacturing) Something that is flexible.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=August 19, author=Terry McCrann, title=Win-win deal for the times, work=Herald Sun citation
    • , passage=Alcan is mostly flexibles -- and so it boosts Amcor's flexible packaging business to a globally significant $7 billion one. }}

    References

    * * (flexible) * (flexibility) ----