early 15c., "capable of being bent; mentally or spiritually pliant," from Middle French flexible or directly from Latin flexibilis "that may be bent, pliant, flexible, yielding;" figuratively "tractable, inconstant," from flex-, past participle stem of flectere "to bend," which is of uncertain origin. Flexile (1630s) and flexive (1620s) have become rare. Related: Flexibly. Coles' dictionary (1717) has flexiloquent "speaking words of doubtful or double meaning."
实用例句
1. Times become more flexible off-season, especially in the smaller provincial museums.
尤其是在规模较小的地方博物馆，开放时间在旅游淡季更加灵活。来自柯林斯例句
2. Because the work was voluntary it was flexible, time-wise.
这项工作是自愿的，所以时间上很灵活。来自柯林斯例句
3. He shopped around for a firm that would be flexible.
他到处寻觅一家可灵活变通的公司。来自柯林斯例句
4. Automation would bring a shorter, more flexible working week.
自动化会使工作周缩短，也更为灵活。来自柯林斯例句
5. Working from home offers the ultimate in flexible life styles.
