Flex Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms flex 1 American [fleks] / flɛks /

adjective

1. Informal. flexible.

   a flex program of workers' benefits.

flex- 2 American Also flexi-.

1. a combining form representing flexible in compound words.

   flextime.

flex 3 American [fleks] / flɛks /

verb (used with object)

1. to bend, as a part of the body.

   He flexed his arms to show off his muscles.

2. to tighten (a muscle) by contraction.

3. to demonstrate (one’s ability, expertise, etc.).

   She’s flexed her marketing skills for various clients in the publishing industry.

4. Slang. to boast or brag about; flaunt.

   He’s just not into flexing his success.

verb (used without object)

1. to bend.

2. Slang. to boast or brag; show off.

   In his rap lyrics he flexes about his fancy lifestyle.

noun

1. the act of flexing.

2. Slang. a boast or brag.

   It's not a flex, but we have the best burgers here.

3. British.

   1. any flexible, insulated electric cord; an electric cord or extension cord.

   2. Slang. an elastic band, as a garter.

4. Mathematics. an inflection point.

verb phrase

1. flex on to brag or show off to; assert one’s dominance or superiority over.

   She’s flexing on her haters by posting new photos of her beautiful family.

flex British / flɛks /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: cord. a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mains

2. informal flexibility or pliability

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. to bend or be bent

   he flexed his arm

   his arm flexed

2. to contract (a muscle) or (of a muscle) to contract

3. (intr) to work according to flexitime

4. to test or display (one's authority or strength)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What else does flex mean? Flex is a slang term meaning "to show off," whether it be your physique, your belongings, or some other thing you consider superior to those of others. The act of flexing is often criticized as a power move, considered arrogant and insincere.

Etymology

Origin of flex1

Shortening of flexible

Origin of flex1

First recorded in 1515–25; (adjective) from Latin flexus, past participle of flectere “to bend, turn”; (noun) from Latin flexus act of bending, equivalent to flect(ere) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pyongyang's defence ministry said it would consider "countermeasures" against US "nuclear muscle flexing", a separate report said Thursday.

From Barron's

The world's most populous nation has flexed its spacefaring ambitions in the last decade with its space programme growing considerably, and rivalling the achievements of established powers at a much cheaper price tag.

From Barron's

Others, such as Elon Musk, talk about producing children as both necessary to offset declining population growth and a flex to colonize the galaxy with one’s descendants.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s notable because it’s the first flex of the season, which is an unusually low number.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2008, researchers argued that this pronounced flexing could only occur if a large ocean existed beneath Titan's crust.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• lean
• tighten
• tilt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.