elastic
gb/ɪlˈæstɪk/ us/ɪlˈæstɪk/
B1
English
~ 8900
rugalmas, elasztikus, gumi, gumipánt, gumiszalag
B1
1
rugalmas
B1
elasztikus
B2
Usage pattern:
an elastic [material/part]
This rubber is so elastic that you can pull it to twice its length.
Ez a gumi olyan rugalmas, hogy a kétszeresére is ki lehet nyújtani.
The mattress has an elastic top layer that adjusts to your body.
A matracnak rugalmas felső rétege van, amely igazodik a testedhez.
Gymnasts need elastic muscles to perform those powerful jumps.
The new phone case is made from an elastic material that won’t crack when bent.
Learner examples
The band is very elastic and can stretch a lot.
A szalag nagyon rugalmas, és sokat tud nyúlni.
This toy is made from elastic rubber.
Ez a játék rugalmas gumiból készült.
I like socks with elastic tops so they do not fall down.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "elastic" instead of "plastic" when they mean something is made of plastic. "Elastic" describes how something stretches and returns to its shape; it does not mean "made of plastic."
Meaning
stretchy and returns to shape
Collocations
elastic material
|elastic fabric
|elastic fibers
|highly elastic
|soft and elastic
|elastic properties
Synonyms
stretchy (More informal and often used for clothes and fabrics.)
|
flexible (Can mean bendable in shape, not always returning fully to the original form.)
Antonyms
rigid (Emphasizes that something cannot bend or stretch at all.)
|
inelastic (More technical; used especially in science to mean not elastic.)
Themes
materials
|science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to stretch and then go back to the same shape and size.
Able to be stretched and then quickly return to its original shape and size without damage.
B2
2
rugalmas
B1
Usage pattern:
elastic [rule/plan/deadline]
The company has fairly elastic working hours as long as you get your tasks done.
A cégnél meglehetősen rugalmas a munkaidő, amíg elvégzed a feladataidat.
The coach takes an elastic approach to training, adjusting the plan each week.
Az edző rugalmasan áll hozzá az edzéshez, és minden héten módosítja a tervet.
In practice, the law is quite elastic and often interpreted differently by each judge.
Their budget was elastic enough to cover unexpected travel costs.
Learner examples
My boss is elastic about when we start work.
A főnököm rugalmas abban, hogy mikor kezdünk dolgozni.
The teacher is elastic with the time of the test.
A tanár rugalmas a dolgozat időpontjával kapcsolatban.
Our plan is elastic, so we can change it if it rains.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "elastic" for people, saying things like "He is very elastic" to mean he is open-minded. In this sense, it is more natural to say a person is "flexible" or "open"; use "elastic" mainly for rules, plans, ideas, or concepts.
Meaning
flexible or easily adjustable
Collocations
elastic schedule
|elastic deadline
|elastic rules
|elastic interpretation
|elastic boundaries
|elastic concept
Synonyms
flexible (Most common everyday synonym for being willing or able to change.)
|
adaptable (Focuses more on people and systems changing themselves rather than on rules being loose.)
Antonyms
strict (Rules or people that do not allow change or exceptions.)
|
rigid (Very unchanging and inflexible, often with a negative tone.)
Themes
work
|law
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to change easily when the situation is different, especially about rules, plans, or ideas.
Easily adjustable or adaptable, especially about rules, plans, or attitudes that can change without breaking.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
a piece of elastic
She cut a piece of elastic and sewed it into the waistband of the skirt.
Vágott egy darab gumit, és bevarrta a szoknya derekába.
The cuffs have elastic to keep the cold air out.
A mandzsettákban gumi van, hogy ne jusson be a hideg levegő.
You’ll need some strong elastic for this costume so it doesn’t slip down.
The mask is held in place by elastic that goes around your ears.
Learner examples
I need elastic for the waist of my pants.
Gumira van szükségem a nadrágom derekához.
The mask has elastic behind the ears.
A maszknak gumipántja van a fülek mögött.
She put new elastic in her old skirt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "elastic" with "rubber band." A "rubber band" is a loop of rubber used mainly for holding small objects together; "elastic" (noun) is more general and is often sewn into clothes.
Meaning
stretchy band or material
Collocations
a piece of elastic
|sew in elastic
|strong elastic
|elastic at the waist
|elastic around the cuffs
Synonyms
elastic band (More specific; clearly refers to a band rather than elastic material in general.)
|
stretch band (Less common; used in some contexts for similar stretchy bands.)
Antonyms
string (A non-stretchy cord that contrasts with elastic in function.)
Themes
clothing
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
A thin, stretchy band or piece in clothes that makes them tight and helps them stay in place.
A narrow strip or piece of stretchy material, used especially in clothing to hold something in place or make it fit tightly.
C1
TECHNICAL
4
rugalmas
C1
Usage pattern:
elastic [demand/supply/response]
Luxury goods tend to have more elastic demand than basic food items.
A luxuscikkek iránti kereslet általában rugalmasabb, mint az alapvető élelmiszerek iránti kereslet.
In this market, labor supply is relatively elastic because workers can move easily between jobs.
Ezen a piacon a munkaerő-kínálat viszonylag rugalmas, mert a munkavállalók könnyen tudnak munkahelyet váltani.
Economists found that the service was highly elastic to even small price increases.
When demand is elastic, a price cut can increase total revenue.
Learner examples
In economics class we learned about elastic demand.
Közgazdaságtanórán a rugalmas keresletről tanultunk.
If demand is elastic, a small price change can change sales a lot.
Ha a kereslet rugalmas, egy kis árváltozás is jelentősen megváltoztathatja az eladásokat.
Basic food has less elastic demand than expensive clothes.
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up "elastic" and "elasticity" in economics. "Elastic" is an adjective ("elastic demand"), while "elasticity" is the noun ("the elasticity of demand").
Meaning
responsive to change in economics
Collocations
elastic demand
|price-elastic demand
|highly elastic response
|elastic supply
|elastic market
Synonyms
responsive (General word; in economics, "elastic" is the more precise technical term.)
Antonyms
inelastic (Technical opposite in economics; demand or supply changes very little when the price changes.)
Themes
economics
|business
|science
|finance
Definition
In economics, used when people buy or sell a lot more or a lot less after a small change in price or another condition.
In economics, describing a situation where the quantity demanded or supplied changes by a proportionally larger amount than the change in price or another factor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elastic
IPA
GB/ɪlˈæstɪk/
US/ɪlˈæstɪk/
Syllables & stress
elast - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elastic
Noun
- Base: elastic
- Plural: elastic, elastics
Word family
Forms
elastics
noun
Core family
elasticity
noun B2
elastically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
inelastic
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
elasticize
verb
inelasticity
noun
Expressions
elastic band
1/ɪlˈæstɪk bˈænd/
fixed phrase
thin stretchy loop or strip
A thin stretchy loop or strip used to hold things together or to make clothes tight.
Examples
- Tie these cables together with an elastic band so they don’t get tangled.
- The doctor snapped an elastic band around his arm before taking blood.
elastic bandage
1/ɪlˈæstɪk bˈændɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
stretchy medical wrap
A long stretchy cloth that you wrap around an injury to support it.
Examples
- The nurse wrapped his ankle with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.
- You should keep an elastic bandage in your first-aid kit for sprains.
elastic clause
1/ɪlˈæstɪk klˈɔz/
fixed phrase
formal
flexible legal or constitutional clause
A part of a law or constitution that can be read in a wide way, so it can cover new or different situations.
Examples
- Some lawyers argue that the elastic clause gives the government broad powers.
- The debate centers on how far the elastic clause should be stretched in modern times.
elastic demand
1/ɪlˈæstɪk dɪmˈænd/
fixed phrase
technical
demand sensitive to price
In economics, a situation where people buy a lot more or a lot less when the price changes a little.
Examples
- Movie tickets have more elastic demand than basic medicines.
- For products with elastic demand, lowering the price can increase total sales revenue.
elastic limit
1/ɪlˈæstɪk lˈɪmɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
maximum stress before permanent change
In physics, the highest force a material can take and still go back to its old shape when the force is gone.
Examples
- If the force exceeds the elastic limit, the metal bar will bend permanently.
- Engineers must know the elastic limit of materials to design safe structures.
elastic waist
1/ɪlˈæstɪk wˈeɪst/
fixed phrase
clothing waist tightened by elastic
A waist on clothing that uses elastic, not buttons or a belt, to fit your body.
Examples
- I prefer shorts with an elastic waist for running.
- The dress has an elastic waist that gives it a relaxed look.
elastic waistband
1/ɪlˈæstɪk wˈɔstbˌænd/
fixed phrase
waist of clothing with elastic
The part around the waist of clothes that has elastic to help the clothes stay up and fit well.
Examples
- These pants have an elastic waistband, so they’re very comfortable for travel.
- The skirt’s elastic waistband makes it easy to pull on and off.