elastic

/ɪˈlæstɪk/

/ɪˈlæstɪk/

Other forms: elastically; elastics

Elastic is the rubber-based material that resumes its original shape after stretching or compression, and anything described as elastic is flexible.

In 1923 American inventor William H Spencer took elastic one step further, creating the elastic band — the Internet of its day for bored office workers seeking amusement. The properties of elastic have long lent themselves to metaphorical use, so that anything or anyone that's capable of adaptation or is flexible in its nature can be termed elastic.

Definitions of elastic

1. adjective

   capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy
   “an elastic band”

   “a youthful and elastic walk”

   synonyms:

   bouncy, live, lively, resilient, springy

   elastic; rebounds readily

   elasticised, elasticized

   made with strands or inserts of elastic

   expandable, expandible, expansible, expansile

   (of gases) capable of expansion

   fictile, moldable, plastic

   capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)

   flexible, whippy

   bending and snapping back readily without breaking

   rubberlike, rubbery

   having an elastic texture resembling rubber in flexibility or toughness

   springlike

   resembling a spring or the action of a spring

   stretch

   easily stretched

   stretchable, stretchy

   capable of being easily stretched and resuming former size or shape

   viscoelastic

   having viscous as well as elastic properties

   flexible, flexile

   able to flex; able to bend easily

   antonyms:

   inelastic

   not elastic

   dead

   lacking resilience or bounce

   nonresilient

   not resilient

   springless

   lacking in elasticity or vitality

   inflexible

   resistant to being bent
2. adjective

   able to adjust readily to different conditions
   “an elastic clause in a contract”

   synonyms: flexible, pliable, pliant

   adaptable

   capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use
3. noun

   a narrow band of elastic rubber used to hold things (such as papers) together
   synonyms: elastic band, rubber band

   type of:

   band

   a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)

   elastic device

   any flexible device that will return to its original shape when stretched
4. noun

   a fabric made of yarns containing an elastic material
   type of:

   cloth, fabric, material, textile

   artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers