elastic

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ɪˈlæstɪk/ UK /ɪˈlɑːstɪk/ See IPA manual

Freq #18696

Meanings

1

adj
Able to stretch and return to its original shape when released.

The waistband is elastic, so it fits comfortably.
2

noun
A stretchy material used in clothing, especially in waistbands and cuffs.

The elastic in these old socks has lost its stretch.
3

adj
Able to change or adapt easily to new conditions.

The schedule is fairly elastic, so we can add meetings if needed.
4

adj
Sensitive to changes in price (in economics).

Demand for luxury goods is more elastic than demand for food.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · a stretchy material used in... elastic band

More stretchablestretchy

Opposites

anelasticinelasticnonelastic

Word family

Forms elasticallyelasticsunelastic

Derived forms acoustoelasticaero-hydro-servo-elasticaero-servo-elasticaero-servo-hydro-elasticaeroelasticcytoelasticelastanceelastaneelastic-sidedelastic-sideselasticallyelasticate

Etymology

From French élastique, from New Latin elasticus (“elastic”), from Ancient Greek ἐλαστός (elastós), alternative form of ἐλατός (elatós, “ductile”) (cf. ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “a driver, hurler”)), from ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “to drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out”).

élastique French elasticus la-new ἐλαστός Ancient Greek

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Cause, Change & Process Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# elastic

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪˈlæstɪk/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪˈlɑːstɪk/
**Frequency rank:** 18696

## Meanings
1. Able to stretch and return to its original shape when released.
2. A stretchy material used in clothing, especially in waistbands and cuffs.
3. Able to change or adapt easily to new conditions.
4. Sensitive to changes in price (in economics).

## Examples
- The waistband is elastic, so it fits comfortably.
- The elastic in these old socks has lost its stretch.
- The schedule is fairly elastic, so we can add meetings if needed.
- Demand for luxury goods is more elastic than demand for food.

## Synonyms
- stretchable
- stretchy

## Antonyms
- anelastic
- inelastic
- nonelastic

## Derived Forms
- acoustoelastic
- aero-hydro-servo-elastic
- aero-servo-elastic
- aero-servo-hydro-elastic
- aeroelastic
- cytoelastic
- elastance
- elastane
- elastic-sided
- elastic-sides
- elastically
- elasticate

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: élastique
- Root: elasticus
- Root: ἐλαστός

## Etymology
From French élastique, from New Latin elasticus (“elastic”), from Ancient Greek ἐλαστός (elastós), alternative form of ἐλατός (elatós, “ductile”) (cf. ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “a driver, hurler”)), from ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “to drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out”).

## AI Etymology
Elastic is from French élastique, from New Latin elasticus (“elastic”), from Ancient Greek ἐλαστός (elastós), alternative form of ἐλατός (elatós, “ductile”) (cf. ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “a driver, hurler”)), from ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “to drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out”). In present-day use, it can mean able to stretch and return to its original shape when released, or a stretchy material used in clothing, especially in waistbands and cuffs. Derived formations include acoustoelastic, aero-hydro-servo-elastic, aero-servo-elastic, aero-servo-hydro-elastic, and aeroelastic.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Cause, Change & Process
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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elastic

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