NYT Dictionary

FLEXIBLE

/ˈflɛk.sɪ.bəl/

AdjectiveNounFLEX-i-bleflex-i-ble · 3 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned or twisted without breaking.

Origin: Latin

From Middle French flexible, from Latin flexibilis, from flectō (“to bend, curve”). Morphologically flex + -ible.

pliabletractablemanageable ductileplasticmalleablebendsomebendyinconstantlimp

stiffbrittleinflexible rigid firminelasticunbendableuncompromising

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles: