# flex

/ˈfɫɛks/ (US) · /flˈɛks/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to tighten muscles

verb · CEFR B2

to tighten your muscles to show how strong you are.

For teachers: to contract or tighten a muscle, typically to demonstrate strength or prepare for physical exertion.

- The bodybuilder began to flex his arms as soon as he stepped onto the stage.
- Before the heavy lifting began, the athlete paused to flex his quadriceps, ensuring the muscles were warm and responsive.

### 2. to bend

verb · CEFR B2

to bend something that is flexible.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to show off

verb · CEFR B2 · Slang · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a boast

noun · CEFR B2 · Slang · Informal

an act of showing off or something that is impressive.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'weird flex but okay' to describe a strange boast.

### 5. electrical cord

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Buying that expensive car was a huge flex.
- Posting a photo of his private jet was a weird flex, but his followers seemed to love it.
- While some viewed the CEO's donation as genuine philanthropy, others dismissed it as a calculated corporate flex designed to overshadow the recent environmental scandal.

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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.