flex
gb/flˈɛks/ us/flˈɛks/
B1
Engels
~ 9200
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
unknown
slang
B2
action
1
to show off to impress
to show something you have or can do so that people will be impressed
Gebruikspatroon:
to flex [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes think "flex" always means "to bend" because of older dictionary senses. In modern slang, especially online, it very often means "to show off". It is also easy to overuse this word in formal writing, where "show", "display", or "boast" are usually better choices.
Synoniemen
show off (Neutral informal; slightly broader and older than the very current slang use of "flex".)
Antoniemen
downplay (Means to make something seem less important, the opposite of drawing attention to it.)
Woordcombinaties
flex on
|flex hard
|flex his wealth
|flex her new car
|flex your skills
|subtle flex
Thema's
social
|internet
|youth_culture
|communication
|emotions
Voorbeelden
- He loves to flex his new sneakers on Instagram.
- She wasn’t trying to flex; she was just excited about her promotion.
- Buying bottle service at that club was such an unnecessary flex.
- They keep flexing their travel photos in every group chat.
- It was a quiet flex, but everyone noticed the designer watch.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- He likes to flex his new phone at school.
- She flexed her English skills in the meeting.
- They flexed their new car in front of the house.
- He posted the photo to flex his muscles.
- That big wedding felt like a flex to their friends.
Werkwoord
B1
action
2
to tighten a muscle
to make a muscle tight and hard, often to show strength or for exercise
Gebruikspatroon:
to flex [a muscle / body part]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the slang sense "to show off" and use it with people or things instead of body parts, e.g. *"He flexed his car"* in a physical sense. For the muscle meaning, the object should be a body part or muscle.
Synoniemen
contract (More technical and neutral; does not carry the idea of showing strength in front of others.)
Antoniemen
relax (Means to let the muscle become loose, the opposite of tightening it.)
Woordcombinaties
flex your muscles
|flex his biceps
|flex her arm
|flex the knee
|flex the wrist
|flex and hold
Thema's
health
|sports
|body
Voorbeelden
- The trainer told him to flex his abs and hold for ten seconds.
- She flexed her arm to show the progress she’d made at the gym.
- Gently flex your knee after surgery to keep the joint moving.
- He flexed his fingers before sitting down at the piano.
- The doctor asked her to flex and relax the ankle repeatedly.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- Flex your arm and make a fist.
- The coach said, "Flex your legs, then relax."
- He flexed his muscles in front of the mirror.
- The doctor told me to flex my foot every hour.
- I flex my back when I do this exercise.
Werkwoord
B2
action
3
to bend without breaking
to bend or move a thing a little without breaking it
Gebruikspatroon:
to flex [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may overuse "flex" when simply "bend" is enough. "Flex" is more often used when the material’s flexibility is important (it bends slightly and does not break).
Synoniemen
bend (More general; does not always include the idea of not breaking or returning to the original shape.)
Antoniemen
snap (Describes breaking rather than bending, the opposite outcome of safe flexing.)
Woordcombinaties
flex the material
|flex the board
|flex under pressure
|designed to flex
|flex and return
|flexible enough to flex
Thema's
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- The plastic can flex a little without cracking.
- Engineers tested how much the bridge could flex in high winds.
- This yoga mat is thick enough to flex under your weight.
- The skis are designed to flex when you turn.
- Gently flex the strip of metal to see how strong it is.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- This ruler can flex, but it does not break.
- The tree will flex in a strong wind.
- The thin board flexed when he stood on it.
- These shoes flex with your feet when you walk.
- The new phone can flex a little without damage.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
slang
B2
action
4
an act of showing off
an action or thing that someone does to show off
Gebruikspatroon:
[something] is a flex
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may try to use "flex" as a verb here (*"That flexes"*) when native speakers usually use it as a noun in this sense: "That’s a flex." It is also easy to overuse in formal writing, where phrases like "show of wealth" or "display of confidence" are more appropriate.
Synoniemen
boast (Usually refers to proud words; "flex" can be about things or actions, not only what someone says.)
Antoniemen
humility (Humility is not trying to show off, the opposite attitude of making a flex.)
Woordcombinaties
big flex
|strange flex
|weird flex
|power flex
|subtle flex
|status flex
Thema's
social
|internet
|youth_culture
|communication
|emotions
Voorbeelden
- Flying first class for a one-hour flight is a serious flex.
- Posting that screenshot of his bank balance was such a flex.
- Bringing homemade bread to every meeting has become her little flex.
- Donating anonymously instead of making it a flex would have felt better.
- Finishing the marathon without training was a dangerous flex.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- That big watch is a flex.
- Buying two phones is a flex, not a need.
- Her new car is a huge flex at work.
- Inviting everyone to a very expensive dinner was his flex.
- Showing all your medals is a clear flex.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
informal
B2
property
5
flexibility in plans or rules
the freedom to change plans, time, or rules when you need to
Gebruikspatroon:
to have some flex in [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use "a flexibility" instead of "flexibility" or "flex". When using "flex" in this sense, it is usually uncountable ("some flex", "more flex"), not *"a flex".
Synoniemen
flexibility (More standard and slightly more formal; "flex" is shorter and informal, often used in business talk.)
Antoniemen
rigidity (Describes a fixed, unchanging state, the opposite of having flex in plans or rules.)
Woordcombinaties
flex in the schedule
|flex in deadlines
|offer more flex
|built-in flex
|a bit of flex
|no flex on price
Thema's
business
|daily_life
|work
Voorbeelden
- There’s some flex in the deadline if you need more time.
- This job has a lot of flex around start and finish times.
- We don’t have much flex in the budget this year.
- Talk to your manager about getting more flex in your schedule.
- The contract allows a bit of flex on delivery dates.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- My boss gives me flex in my work hours.
- There is no flex on the exam date.
- We need some flex in the project plan.
- This company offers flex for working from home.
- Ask if there is flex on the price.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
technical
B2
entity
6
flexible electric cable
the flexible electric wire that connects a machine to the plug or power
Gebruikspatroon:
to plug [something] into the flex
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners outside the UK may not recognize this noun sense and instead only know "cable" or "power cord". In British English DIY or home contexts, "flex" is common for flexible electrical cable.
Synoniemen
power cord (More common in general modern English; "flex" is particularly used in British English and technical or DIY contexts.)
Antoniemen
fixed wiring (Refers to electrical wires built into walls or structures, not flexible cords.)
Woordcombinaties
lamp flex
|replace the flex
|cut the flex
|live flex
|flex cable
|flex and plug
Thema's
technology
|home
Voorbeelden
- Make sure the flex isn’t damaged before you use the kettle.
- The electrician said we needed to replace the flex on the lamp.
- He tripped over the flex running across the floor.
- Always unplug the flex before trying to repair the appliance.
- The flex was too short to reach the socket behind the sofa.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The flex of my iron is broken.
- Please do not pull the flex too hard.
- I see a cut in the flex of this lamp.
- We need a longer flex for this fan.
- She rolled the flex and put it in a box.
Werkwoord
C1
action
7
to show power or strength
to use or show your power or skill in a strong and clear way
Gebruikspatroon:
to flex [power / strength / influence]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may confuse this sense with the more casual slang "to flex" meaning simply "to show off" anything. In news and business writing, this sense usually relates to real power or influence, not just personal style or possessions.
Synoniemen
assert (More formal and focused on stating or using power; "flex" is more vivid and often suggests a show of strength.)
Antoniemen
hold back (Means to avoid using full power or strength, the opposite of flexing it.)
Woordcombinaties
flex its muscles
|flex their power
|flex his influence
|flex their dominance
|flex military strength
|chance to flex
Thema's
politics
|business
|communication
Voorbeelden
- The company is starting to flex its financial power in the market.
- The government used the summit to flex its diplomatic muscles.
- Smaller brands are now able to flex their creative strengths online.
- The team really flexed its defensive skills in the final.
- Streaming platforms are flexing their influence over the film industry.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The big country can flex its power in this region.
- Our team will flex its skills in the next game.
- The rich company likes to flex its money.
- Small groups can also flex their voice online.
- The leader did not want to flex his power this time.
Werkwoord
slang
C1
action
8
to cancel or skip something
to choose not to go to or do something you planned to do
Gebruikspatroon:
to flex [a class / meeting / plan]
Veelgemaakte fout:
This sense is not universal; using it with older or more formal speakers may cause confusion. Learners may also think it is standard English, but in many situations "skip" or "cancel" is safer and more widely understood.
Synoniemen
skip (Very common and neutral; "flex" is more slangy and used in some youth or campus groups.)
Antoniemen
show up (Means to attend as planned, the opposite of flexing on an event.)
Woordcombinaties
flex class
|flex the meeting
|flex practice
|flex work today
|might flex tonight
|decided to flex
Thema's
daily_life
|school
|education
Voorbeelden
- I’m so tired I might just flex class today.
- They all decided to flex the meeting and go for coffee instead.
- He flexed practice again, so the coach is getting annoyed.
- We can’t flex this appointment; it took months to get.
- She flexed the party at the last minute and stayed home.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- He was sick, so he flexed class.
- I want to flex the meeting and sleep.
- They all flexed practice yesterday.
- She flexed the party because she was tired.
- Do not flex work without telling your boss.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
flex
IPA
GB/flˈɛks/
US/flˈɛks/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
flex (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (flex)
Woordvormen
Noun
- Base: flex
- Plural: flex, flexes
Verb
- Base: flex
- 3rd Person Singular: flexes
- Present Participle: flexing
- Past: flexed
Woordfamilie
Forms
flexes
noun
flexing
verb
flexed
verb
Core family
flexible
adjective A2
flexibility
noun B1
Related words
flexibly
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
inflexible
adjective
inflexibility
noun
inflexibly
adverb
Uitdrukkingen
flex on
1/flˈɛks ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
slang
show off in someone’s face
to show what you have or can do in front of someone so they feel less cool, rich, or strong than you
Voorbeelden
- He’s always trying to flex on his coworkers with his expensive suits.
- Stop flexing on people just because you got a raise.
- She loves to flex on her ex by posting photos from her trips.
flex room
1/flˈɛks ɹˈum/
fixed phrase
room with changeable use
a room in a home that can change use, for example it can be a bedroom, office, or playroom at different times
Voorbeelden
- They use the flex room as a playroom during the day and a guest room at night.
- The house has three bedrooms and a flex room off the kitchen.
- We turned the flex room into a small home gym.
flex space
1/flˈɛks spˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
room usable for many purposes
a room or area that is not for only one use and can be used as an office, bedroom, playroom, or something else
Voorbeelden
- The apartment includes a flex space that can be used as a home office.
- They turned the flex space into a guest room.
- Real estate ads often highlight flex space as a selling point.
flex time
1/flˈɛks tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
variable work hours system
a work system where workers can choose their start and finish times within limits instead of working one fixed schedule
Voorbeelden
- The company offers flex time so parents can do school drop-offs.
- With flex time, she usually starts work at ten and finishes at six.
- Many employees said flex time was more important than a pay raise.
weird flex but okay
1/wˈɪɹd flˈɛks bˈʌt ˌoʊkˈeɪ/
idiom
slang
comment on a strange boast
a joking way to say that someone is showing off something strange or not very impressive, but you will not argue about it
Voorbeelden
- He bragged about sleeping only three hours a night—"Weird flex but okay," she replied.
- Posting your parking ticket as if it’s cool is a weird flex but okay.
- She said she never takes vacations because she loves work so much. Weird flex but okay.
flex your muscles
1/flˈɛks jˈʊɹ mˈʌsəlz/
idiom
informal
Show off power or strength
To show your strength or power to warn people or make them respect you.
Voorbeelden
- The army is flexing its muscles with a large military parade.
- The company flexed its muscles by lowering prices to beat competitors.
flex your muscles
2/flˈɛks jˈʊɹ mˈʌsəlz/
idiom
show or use your power
to use or show your power or strength in a clear way so that people can see what you can do
Voorbeelden
- The country is flexing its muscles with a series of military exercises.
- The new manager flexed her muscles by changing several key policies in her first week.
- Smaller creators are starting to flex their muscles on the platform.