elasticity

C2 Topic:Economics & Markets

US /ɪ.læsˈtɪs.ɪ.ti/ UK /ɪ.læsˈtɪs.ɪ.ti/ See IPA manual

Freq #42510

Meanings

1

noun
The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or squeezed.

As we age, our skin gradually loses its elasticity.
2

noun
The ability to adapt easily to changing conditions.

The new system gives the company more elasticity to handle sudden demand.
3

noun
A measure of how much one quantity changes in response to a change in another, especially in economics.

If sales fall by 5% when the price rises by 10%, the price elasticity is −0.5.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · the ability to adapt easily... adaptability

Word family

Forms elasticities

Derived forms aero-hydro-servo-elasticityaero-servo-elasticityaeroelasticityaerothermoelasticityferroelasticityfibroelasticityhomoelasticityhydroelasticityhyperelasticityhypoelasticityinelasticitymagneto-electro-thermo-elasticity

Etymology

From elastic + -ity.

Topics

Economics & Markets Physics Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# elasticity

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪ.læsˈtɪs.ɪ.ti/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪ.læsˈtɪs.ɪ.ti/
**Frequency rank:** 42510

## Meanings
1. The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or squeezed.
2. The ability to adapt easily to changing conditions.
3. A measure of how much one quantity changes in response to a change in another, especially in economics.

## Examples
- As we age, our skin gradually loses its elasticity.
- The new system gives the company more elasticity to handle sudden demand.
- If sales fall by 5% when the price rises by 10%, the price elasticity is −0.5.

## Derived Forms
- aero-hydro-servo-elasticity
- aero-servo-elasticity
- aeroelasticity
- aerothermoelasticity
- ferroelasticity
- fibroelasticity
- homoelasticity
- hydroelasticity
- hyperelasticity
- hypoelasticity
- inelasticity
- magneto-electro-thermo-elasticity

## Etymology
From elastic + -ity.

## AI Etymology
Elasticity is from elastic + -ity. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or squeezed, the ability to adapt easily to changing conditions, and a measure of how much one quantity changes in response to a change in another, especially in economics. The wider family includes derived forms such as aero-hydro-servo-elasticity, aero-servo-elasticity, aeroelasticity, aerothermoelasticity, and ferroelasticity.

## Topics
- Economics & Markets
- Physics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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