What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flexible
Example
She is a flexible employee who can work in different departments. [flexible: adjective]
Example
The yoga instructor demonstrated her flexibility by doing a split. [flexibility: noun]
pliable
Example
The clay was pliable and easy to mold into different shapes. [pliable: adjective]
Example
He was a pliable student who always followed the teacher's instructions. [pliable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flexible is more commonly used than pliable in everyday language, and it is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between flexible and pliable?
Flexible is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while pliable is less common and may sound more formal or technical.
