Meaning 1
The ability to adapt plans or behavior as conditions change.
Reach for it when praising practical adaptability in people or arrangements
Schedule flexibility let both parents attend the meeting.
Meaning 2
The ability of a body or material to bend without damage.
Reach for it when describing physical range or pliability
Daily stretching gradually improved her flexibility.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional |
|
|
| formal |
everyday
Fits when a system allows a little practical movement
Careful Give is informal and ambiguous outside context.
professional
Fits when successful response to change is central
Careful Adaptability may involve new skills rather than changed rules.
professional
Fits when several uses or roles are handled well
Careful Versatility can exist in a rigid schedule.
formal
Fits when people have authorized room to decide
Careful Latitude is permission, not willingness to adapt.
warm
suppleness
Fits when smooth easy bending deserves positive emphasis
Careful Suppleness is less technical and can sound aesthetic.
professional
elasticity
Fits when the material returns to its prior shape
Careful Elasticity requires recovery of shape; flexibility only requires bending.
professional
Fits when range of bodily movement is the real measure
Careful Mobility includes joints and locomotion, not only flexibility.
formal
pliability
Fits when a material bends or can be shaped
Careful Pliability can imply susceptibility to influence when applied to people.
schedule flexibility
Schedule flexibility made the training accessible.
show flexibility
The supplier agreed to show flexibility on delivery dates.
improve flexibility
Gentle practice can improve flexibility over time.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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