Word
inflexible
Phoneticsin·flex·i·ble, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈfɫɛksəbəɫ/
UK/ɪnflˈɛksɪbəl/
Definition
adj. unable to change or bend easily. You use this to describe someone who sticks to their rules or plans no matter what happens.
adj. lacking the ability to change or bend easily; rigid in attitude or behavior. Often used to describe systems, people, or policies that resist adjustment.
Examples
“The company has an inflexible policy on late arrivals.”
“The old building's inflexible structure made it impossible to add a new wing without tearing down the original walls.”
“While the initial strategy was sound, the team's inflexible adherence to the original plan prevented them from adapting to the sudden market shift.”
Examples
simple
“The company has an inflexible policy on late arrivals.”
contextual
“The old building's inflexible structure made it impossible to add a new wing without tearing down the original walls.”
complex
“While the initial strategy was sound, the team's inflexible adherence to the original plan prevented them from adapting to the sudden market shift.”
Real-World Examples
“The inflexible supply chains exposed during the pandemic should be shorter and more nimble, with consumers connected more closely with the source of their food and farmers.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French inflexible, from Latin īnflexibilis. See also in- + flexible.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/inflexible