# elastic

/ɪˈɫæstɪk/ (US) · /ɪlˈɑːstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/elastic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. stretchy

adjective · CEFR B2

able to stretch and then return to its original shape or size.

For teachers: capable of resuming original shape or dimensions after being stretched or compressed.

- The waistband of these trousers is elastic, so they are very comfortable.
- The material is highly elastic, allowing the athlete full range of motion while ensuring the garment retains its shape after repeated use.

### 2. sensitive to price

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: In economic contexts, it is often contrasted with 'inelastic' demand.

### 3. flexible or adaptable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

able to change or adapt easily to different situations.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. stretchy material

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a rubber band

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect

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

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: In most varieties of English, 'rubber band' is more common; 'an elastic' as a countable noun is specifically common in Canada and parts of the US.

## Examples

- The demand for luxury cars is very elastic.
- Because there are many similar brands available, the demand for this specific cereal is highly elastic.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.