flex

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to bend something that is flexible.

v. to bend a functional part or a flexible material without breaking it.

“You can flex the plastic ruler quite a bit before it snaps.”

“Modern aircraft wings are designed to flex significantly during turbulence to absorb structural stress.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Slang · Informal

v. to show off your money, success, or expensive things to impress people.

v. to boast or flaunt one's wealth, status, or achievements in an ostentatious manner.

“He bought a luxury watch just to flex on his old classmates.”

“Social media influencers often use their platforms to flex their lifestyle, posting photos of private jets and designer clothing to maintain their brand image.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Slang · Informal

n. an act of showing off or something that is impressive.

n. an instance of boasting or an ostentatious display intended to impress others.

“Posting your high test scores on the group chat was a bit of a flex.”

“Mentioning his connection to the CEO during the first five minutes of the interview was a subtle but clear flex.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun British English

n. a flexible electrical wire or cord used for a tool or lamp.

n. a flexible, insulated electrical cable, typically connecting an appliance to a mains plug.

“The iron has a long flex so you can reach across the whole board.”

“The safety inspector noted that the flex on the industrial vacuum was frayed and required immediate replacement.”