elastic

C1 · Advanced Science Academic · Technical

adj. describing a situation where the demand for a product changes a lot when the price changes.

adj. referring to the degree to which supply or demand for a product responds to a change in price.

“Luxury goods are often elastic because people stop buying them if the price goes up.”

“The demand for organic produce proved to be highly elastic, with even a slight price increase leading consumers to switch to conventional alternatives.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

adj. able to change or adapt easily to different situations.

adj. capable of being adapted to various uses or circumstances; not rigid in application.

“We have an elastic schedule that allows us to work from home when needed.”

“The legal framework was designed to be elastic, allowing judges to interpret the rules according to the specific needs of each generation.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. a type of cord or fabric that stretches, often used in clothes.

n. a flexible, stretchy material or fabric, typically made of rubber or containing rubber threads.

“The elastic in my old socks has completely worn out.”

“The manufacturer used a high-grade industrial elastic to ensure the safety netting could withstand significant impact without snapping.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English · Dialect

n. a small, circular piece of stretchy rubber used to hold things together.

n. a loop of rubber used for holding items together; common in specific regional dialects.

“Can you give me an elastic to tie these pens together?”

“She snapped an elastic around the bundle of letters, keeping the correspondence organized within the archive box.”