elastic
capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded: an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.
spontaneously expansive, as gases.
flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant: elastic rules and regulations.
springing back or rebounding; springy: He walks with an elastic step.
readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant: an elastic temperament.
Economics. relatively responsive to change, as to a proportionate increase in demand as the result of a decrease in price.: Compare inelastic (def. 2).
Physics. of, relating to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity.
webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber.
something made from this material, as a garter.
Origin of elastic
1Other words for elastic
Opposites for elastic
Other words from elastic
- e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- non·e·las·tic, adjective
- non·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- sem·i·e·las·tic, adjective
- sem·i·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- su·per·e·las·tic, adjective
- su·per·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- un·e·las·tic, adjective
- un·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use elastic in a sentence
Women ought to have everything they own fastened to them with rubberneck elastics.
The Climbers | Clyde FitchI even got pulled up the other day for having a duel with young Payne with elastics.
The Willoughby Captains | Talbot Baines ReedIn Stover's pocket was a new fountain pen, a box of elastics, a pair of Boston garters and a patent nail clipper.
The Varmint | Owen JohnsonThere was supposed to be 8,200 dollars done up in packages, with three elastics around them.
I thought I saw side elastics, but that may have been the effect of a perturbed vision.
The Champagne Standard | Mrs. John Lane
British Dictionary definitions for elastic
/ (ɪˈlæstɪk) /
(of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation
capable of adapting to change: an elastic schedule
quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant
springy or resilient: an elastic walk
(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously
physics (of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy
made of elastic
tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape
mainly US and Canadian something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter
Origin of elastic
1Derived forms of elastic
- elastically, adverb
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
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