flexibel

Flexibel is an adjective used in several Germanic languages to describe the capacity to bend without breaking or to adapt readily to changing conditions. In German and Dutch, the standard spelling is flexibel, and the term covers both physical pliancy and organizational or personal adaptability. The corresponding noun in these languages is Flexibilität or flexibiliteit, commonly translated as flexibility. The word ultimately traces to the Latin flexibilis, from flectere, meaning to bend.

In usage across domains, flexible describes both tangible and abstract qualities. In engineering and materials science, it refers to substances that deform under load and recover their shape, or to designs that can be easily reshaped. In scheduling, management, and business models, it denotes adaptability to varying requirements, such as flexible work hours, flexible staffing, or flexible pricing. In information technology, flexible architectures and flexible interfaces describe systems capable of accommodating different data types or configurations without redesign.

Spelling and usage vary by language, but the core idea remains consistent: the ability to bend, adjust, or accommodate. The term is neutral and widely used in technical, educational, and everyday contexts. Antonyms include inflexible and rigid, while related concepts include adaptability and pliability.

See also: flexibility, adaptability, pliability.