Supple vs. Flexible — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 27, 2024
Supple refers to something that is easily bent, soft, and pliable, often describing skin or leather, while flexible generally describes materials or objects that can bend without breaking, applicable across various contexts.
Difference Between Supple and Flexible
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Supple primarily describes the quality of being easily bent, soft, and pliable, often used to refer to materials like leather or to human or animal bodies. On the other hand, flexible extends to a broader range of contexts, including materials, objects, plans, and even behavior, indicating the ability to adapt or bend without breaking.
Supple is particularly used in contexts involving tactile qualities like texture and movement, suggesting not only flexibility but also a soft, smooth feel. Whereas, flexible is used in more mechanical or abstract contexts, emphasizing the capacity to adapt under pressure or change without damage.
For instance, supple skin or leather implies a smooth, pliant quality that is pleasant to touch. Conversely, a flexible wire or policy means that it can adjust or bend to fit different needs or situations without losing effectiveness or integrity.
While supple often conveys a sense of luxury or comfort, such as in fashion or furniture, flexible is more utilitarian, stressing usefulness and adaptability in a wide range of applications, from engineering to everyday problem-solving.
In terms of usage, "supple" is less common and more specific compared to "flexible," which is widely used and recognized in both literal and figurative language to describe versatility and resilience.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Easily bent, soft, and pliable
Capable of bending easily without breaking
Contexts Used
Skin, leather, body flexibility
Materials, plans, behaviors
Connotation
Softness, luxury, comfort
Utility, adaptability, resilience
Typical Uses
Describing textures and physical softness
Describing adaptability in various fields
Literal vs. Figurative
Often used literally
Used both literally and figuratively
Compare with Definitions
Supple
Not stiff or firm; yielding or compliant.
The supple texture of the fabric made it ideal for flowy dresses.
Flexible
Capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent.
A flexible hose is essential for watering hard-to-reach plants.
Supple
Bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.
Her supple leather jacket fit perfectly.
Flexible
Capable of modification or adaptation; adaptable.
The company's flexible work hours help employees maintain work-life balance.
Supple
Soft and pleasant to touch.
This moisturizer will keep your skin supple.
Flexible
Able to be flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned, bowed, or twisted without breaking.
This flexible metal can be used in various automotive applications.
Supple
Capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks.
The new material was as supple as natural leather.
Flexible
Making it possible to adjust to different conditions or uses.
They offered flexible payment terms.
Supple
Supple is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: Barry Supple (born 1930), English academic John Supple (c.
Flexible
Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; compliant.
You need to be more flexible in negotiations.
Supple
Bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible
My mind is becoming more supple
Her supple fingers
Flexible
Capable of bending easily without breaking
Flexible rubber seals
Supple
Make more flexible.
Flexible
Capable of being bent or flexed; pliable
A flexible hose.
Supple
Readily bent, folded, or manipulated; pliant
A wallet made of supple leather.
Flexible
Readily bending or twisting the body without injury
You can play soccer much better if you're flexible.
Supple
Moving and bending with agility; limber
A supple gymnast.
Flexible
Able to change to cope with variable circumstances
"a flexible and quietly competent administrator" (Jerome Karabel).
Supple
Adaptable to changing circumstances
"The supple ambiguities of English are a large part of its genius" (Mark Abley).
Flexible
Capable of being changed or adjusted to meet particular or varied needs
A job with flexible hours.
A flexible definition of normality.
Supple
To make or become supple.
Flexible
Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned or twisted without breaking.
Supple
Pliant, flexible, easy to bend.
Flexible
Willing or prone to give way to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate.
Supple
Lithe and agile when moving and bending.
Supple joints
Supple fingers
Flexible
Capable or being adapted or molded in some way.
A flexible language
Supple
(figuratively) Compliant; yielding to the will of others.
A supple horse
Flexible
Something that is flexible.
Supple
(ambitransitive) To make or become supple.
Flexible
Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle.
When the splitting windMakes flexible the knees of knotted oaks.
Supple
(transitive) To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
Flexible
Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.
Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people.
Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible.
Supple
Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.
Flexible
Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a flexible language.
This was a principle more flexible to their purpose.
Supple
Yielding compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance; as, a supple horse.
If punishment . . . makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.
Flexible
Extended meanings; capable of change;
A flexible character
Flexible schedules
Supple
Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious.
Flexible
Able to flex; able to bend easily;
Slim flexible birches
Supple
To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.
The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
Flexible
Able to adjust readily to different conditions;
An adaptable person
A flexible personality
An elastic clause in a contract
Supple
To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will.
They should supple our stiff willfulness.
Flexible
Bending and snapping back readily without breaking
Supple
To become soft and pliant.
The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell.
Flexible
Making or willing to make concessions;
Loneliness tore through him...whenever he thought of...even the compromising Louis du Tillet
Supple
Make pliant and flexible;
These boots are not yet suppled by frequent use
Supple
Gracefully slender; moving and bending with ease
Supple
(used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable;
A supple mind
A limber imagination
Supple
(used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely
Supple
Easily bending and moving; flexible; pliable.
The dancer's supple movements were mesmerizing.
Common Curiosities
Is flexibility always physical?
No, flexibility can also refer to adaptability in thinking, planning, and decision-making.
Can a person be described as flexible?
Yes, a person can be described as flexible in terms of both physical abilities (able to move or bend easily) and in behavior (adaptable or accommodating).
What does it mean for leather to be supple?
For leather to be supple means it is soft, flexible, and comfortable to use, often indicating high quality.
What are some examples of flexible materials?
Examples of flexible materials include rubber, certain plastics, and metals like aluminum which can bend without breaking.
How can I make my skin more supple?
Keeping skin more supple can be achieved through regular moisturizing, proper hydration, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
Why is flexibility important in materials?
Flexibility is important in materials to ensure they can withstand stress and usage without breaking, particularly in construction and manufacturing.
Examples of supple vs. flexible objects?
A yoga instructor might emphasize the importance of being supple in achieving graceful poses, while a gymnastics coach might focus on developing flexibility for a wider range of movements.
Can personality traits be described as supple or flexible?
Yes, personality traits can be described using both terms, with "supple" suggesting adaptability with finesse and "flexible" indicating a more general capacity for adjustment.
Can something be supple but not flexible?
Not typically. The term "supple" inherently implies a degree of flexibility or pliability, though it may emphasize qualities such as gracefulness or fluidity.
Can businesses benefit from flexibility?
Yes, businesses benefit greatly from flexibility in adjusting to market changes, customer needs, and crises, enhancing their resilience and competitiveness.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
