ENGLISH
REFERENCE

elastic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪˈɫæstɪk// UK //ɪlˈɑːstɪk// elas·tic

adj. describing something that can change easily when conditions change. In business or science, it means that if you change one thing, like the price, another thing will change a lot in response.

adj. describing a variable that responds significantly to changes in another variable, such as price or income. Often used to describe demand or supply that fluctuates based on market conditions.


SIMPLE

The demand for luxury cars is very elastic.

CONTEXTUAL

Because there are many similar brands available, the demand for this specific cereal is highly elastic.

COMPLEX

Economists noted that while the demand for gasoline is relatively inelastic in the short term, it becomes more elastic as consumers eventually switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From French élastique, from New Latin elasticus (“elastic”), from Ancient Greek ἐλαστός (elastós), alternative form of ἐλατός (elatós, “ductile”) (cf. ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “a driver, hurler”)), from ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “to drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out”).

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies or after a linking verb.

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