Root words serve as foundational cornerstones of countless words, offering insights into their definitions. Knowing the origin of words can help you memorize them better and use them eloquently, not only in academic writing. In this article, we will analyze “flex,” meaning “bend,” which appears in numerous words, suggesting the concept of something bendable or easy to manipulate in shape.
Definition: Flex
The prefix “flex-” comes from the Latin “flectere,” meaning “to bend,” and is used in various English words to indicate the concept of bending or something bendable. Moreover, “flex” can also be used as a suffix in certain words, as later examples will show.
Origin
The root word “flex-” originates from the Latin root “flectere,” which means “bending.” A similar prefix of the same origin is “flect-,” and both are used to denote curving or bowing something. It is typically utilized in modifying nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, as well as a stand-alone verb.
Example
“flex-” as in …:
- Flexibility (noun)
- Flexible (adjective)
- Flexibly (adverb)
- To flex (verb)
All these examples describe the concept of bending in different word classes. “Flexibility” is the basic characteristic, while “flexible” describes something that is bendable.
Flexibility…
… describes the characteristic of something bendable.
Examples
- The flexibility of her body is astonishing.
- Did you see the flexibility of that cat?
Flection…
… refers to the act of bending something, which can also mean alternating words gramatically.
Examples
- The flection of the tree branches showed how heavy the snow was.
- Studying the flection of verbs is important in linguistics.
Flexor…
… is a muscle used to bend a limb.
Examples
- Flexor muscles are used to bend your wrist.
- Extensor and flexor muscles work together in every movement.
Further nouns with “flex”
| Example | Explanation |
| Flexitarian | A person with a flexible diet. |
| Flexography | A printing process with rotary, elastic rollers. |
| Flexure | The act of bending or the condition of being bent. |
| Reflection | The image of something mirrored. |
| Reflector | Usually, a mirror or something that throws back light. |
Note: With words such as “reflection” or “reflector,” it is important to know that “re-” is now the prefix, while the “flex” or “flect” is the base word. These words still stem from the same root word, and only the function of the individual parts has changed.
Using “flex” in adjectives
The affix “flex-” forms the basis of several adjectives that describe something you can curve. Here are some adjectives that use the word “flex.”
Flexible…
… means something that is bendable.
Examples
- Her body is very flexible.
- Did you see how flexible that cat was?
Flexuous…
… is used for something that has many bends or turns.
Examples
- My tree grew in a flexuous shape, it looks weird.
- He drove along a very flexuous road.
Flexile…
… describes something that is easily influenced by external sources or simply flexible.
Examples
- Artists often prefer flexile brushes to stiff ones.
- The company had a flexile approach to the market demands.
Further adjectives with “flex”
| Example | Explanation |
| Flexural | It describes the ability of materials to withstand high pressure. |
| Flexographic | A printing process with rotary, elastic rollers. |
| Inflexible | Something you cannot bend without breaking it. |
Using “flex” in adverbs
The affix “flex-” is also the basis of several adverbs connected to bending. Here are some examples that use the word “flex.”
Flexibly…
… means that something is bendable.
Examples
- He adapted flexibly to the new situation.
- The company flexibly adjusted their products to new demands.
Flexuously…
… is used for something that has or does many bends or turns.
Examples
- The river wound itself flexiously through the landscape.
- Her dress flowed flexiously as she walked along the pavement.
Using “flex” in verbs
“Flex” itself is also used as a verb or as the basis of other verbs, as the following examples will show.
To flex…
… is used for something that is being bent. In other contexts, it can also mean “to brag” or “to show off.”
Examples
- Flexing your fingers during long typing can help relax them.
- People love to flex their muscles at the gym.
To reflect…
… means that something is mirroring or throwing back light. Additionally it can also mean thinking about something in retrospect.
Examples
- His face was reflected by the water.
- My new jacket can reflect light in the dark.
- You need to reflect on your actions.
FAQs
Yes, “flex-” is a Latin-derived prefix meaning something bendable. However, it can also be used as a suffix.
- Prefix: flexible
- Suffix: reflect
Here are some examples:
- Flexible
- Flexibility
The root “flex” is derived from the Latin word “flectere,” which is why another form of this affix is “flec(t).”
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