Etymology Map
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Flexible

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means able to bend; adaptable

Where does the word "flexible" come from? It comes from Latin flexibilis, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
flexibilis
Latin · ancient
"pliant"
from 'flectere', to bend
2
Stage 2 of 2
flexible
English · 1400s
"bendable"
'flexitime' dates from the 1970s
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Read the full story

Flexible’s story begins in Latin: flexibilis meant “pliant.” From 'flectere', to bend. It reached English by 1400s as flexible. 'flexitime' dates from the 1970s. Today, flexible means able to bend; adaptable.