supple

/ˈsʌpəl/

/ˈsʌpəl/

Other forms: suppled; suppler; suppling; supples; supplest; supplely

Something or someone that is supple bends and moves easily, like a contortionist at a circus sideshow. If you can wrap your legs around your neck, you most likely have a supple body.

Supple is often used as an adjective describing a body — such as a dancer’s; a fabric — such as soft leather; or a sound — such as an accomplished singer’s voice. This makes for a strange supple family, but all of its members can move with ease and flexibility. More idiomatically, supple can also be used to describe a mind. In this sense, it does not mean “easily brainwashed,” but has a more positive association with the open-mindedness of free-thinkers.

Definitions of supple

1. adjective

   moving and bending with ease
   synonyms: lissom, lissome, lithe, lithesome, slender, svelte, sylphlike

   graceful

   characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
2. adjective

   (used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely
   synonyms: limber

   flexible, flexile

   able to flex; able to bend easily
3. adjective

   (used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable
   “a supple mind”

   synonyms: limber

   flexible

   capable of being changed
4. verb

   make pliant and flexible
   “These boots are not yet suppled by frequent use”

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation