Word
pliable
Phoneticspli·able
US/ˈpɫaɪəbəɫ/
UK/plˈaɪəbəl/
Definition
adj. easy to bend or shape without breaking, like soft clay or thin wire. You also use it for a person who adapts easily to new ideas or rules.
adj. easily bent, shaped, or influenced without breaking or resisting. Extends from physical materials to people, plans, or opinions that adapt readily to change.
Examples
“This soft clay is pliable and easy to shape.”
“The leather is still pliable enough to fold around the frame without cracking.”
“Good leaders remain pliable in negotiation, adjusting their positions without abandoning core principles when new evidence emerges.”
Examples
simple
“This soft clay is pliable and easy to shape.”
contextual
“The leather is still pliable enough to fold around the frame without cracking.”
complex
“Good leaders remain pliable in negotiation, adjusting their positions without abandoning core principles when new evidence emerges.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pliable” in context.
Verb
01. keep pliable
“Cover the clay with a damp cloth to keep it pliable.”
verb + adj
02. pliable to mould
“The wax is pliable to mould by hand when slightly warm.”
adj + prep + verb
03. pliable to shape
“Young willow branches are pliable to shape into baskets.”
adj + prep + verb
Adjective
04. highly pliable
“The polymer becomes highly pliable when warmed to 60 degrees.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. pliable clay
“Children shaped animals from soft, pliable clay.”
adj + noun
06. pliable material
“Designers prefer pliable material that can be bent without cracking.”
adj + noun
07. pliable mind
“A good teacher nurtures the pliable mind of a curious teenager.”
adj + noun
08. pliable wire
“Use pliable wire to secure the plants without damaging stems.”
adj + noun
09. a remarkably pliable mind
“At sixteen, she had a remarkably pliable mind open to new ideas.”
10. keep the clay pliable
“Spray water regularly to keep the clay pliable while you work.”
11. mould pliable material into shape
“Craftsmen mould pliable material into shape before it hardens.”
12. pliable enough to bend easily
“The copper rod is pliable enough to bend easily by hand.”
Etymology
From Middle French, from Old French ploiable, from ploiier (“to fold”). By surface analysis, ply + -able. Compare pliant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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