pliability

/ˌplaɪəˈbɪlɪti/

The quality of being flexible, either literally or figuratively, is pliability. The pliability of aluminum foil is what makes it such a great material for wrapping your leftovers — or fashioning a crown for your cat.

Clay's pliability is what makes it moldable. This word comes from the French pliable, "to bend," and a Latin root meaning "to fold." Anything you can bend, fold, twist or turn without breaking it has this quality of pliability. Figuratively, pliability refers to someone who's easy to "bend" or influence: "The pliability of those kids meant they'd believe anything they read online."

Definitions of pliability

1. noun

   adaptability of mind or character
   “he was valued for his reliability and pliability”

   synonyms: malleability, pliancy, pliantness, suppleness

   type of:

   adaptability

   the ability to change (or be changed) to fit changed circumstances
2. noun

   the property of being easily bent without breaking
   synonyms: bendability

   types:

   pliancy, pliantness, suppleness

   the property of being pliant and flexible

   type of:

   flexibility, flexibleness

   the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped