What does inflexible mean?
Word: Inflexible
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Inflexible means not able to bend easily. It can also describe a person or rule that will not change, even when change would make sense.
Synonyms: stiff, rigid, firm, stubborn
Antonyms: flexible
How do you spell inflexible?
Syllables: in - flex - i - ble
Tricky part: The ending is ible, not able. Children who know comfortable and washable often reach for able by mistake.
Watch out for: inflexable, unflexible, inflexibal
Memory tip: A stiff stick stands straight like a capital I, so this stiff word ends in Ible, not able.
Inflexible in a sentence
Example 1: Our teacher said the cardboard was too inflexible to roll into a tube.
Example 2: Our coach is inflexible about one rule: nobody skips the warm-up.
Example 3: Dry twigs are inflexible and snap as soon as you try to bend them.
Fun Fact
Flexible comes from Latin flectere, to bend, which is also the root of the word reflex.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
flexible
a) im
b) il
c) ir
d) in
Show answer
d) in. In placed before flexible means not flexible.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
inflexible
a) steady
b) adaptable
c) strict
d) solid
Show answer
b) adaptable. Someone adaptable changes easily, while an inflexible person will not.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
inflexsible
a) l
b) x
c) i
d) s
Show answer
d) s. The x already makes the ks sound, so the s is not needed.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
lbixenifle
a) indivisible
b) infallible
c) inflexible
d) inflatable
Show answer
c) inflexible. The x is the clue: only one of these words has an x, and it uses every letter.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Kiran needs something inflexible to keep a young plant standing straight. What should she tie it to?
a) a strip of cloth
b) a thin iron rod
c) a piece of wool
d) a rubber band
Show answer
b) a thin iron rod
2. The school has four phone rules. Which one is inflexible?
a) No phones in class, ever, for any reason.
b) Phones are allowed if you ask first.
c) Phones may be used in the lunch break.
d) Phones can be used for class projects.
Show answer
a) No phones in class, ever, for any reason.
