flex
8 synonyms for flex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To bend a joint or tighten a muscle, often to show strength.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
show off
deform
How to use flex
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
flex your muscles
flex on someone
flexible schedule
The "show off" sense of flex is informal slang, common in casual speech and social media, not formal writing.
Etymology
From Latin flexus, the past participle of flectere ("to bend").
Full origin of flex →Frequently asked questions
What does “flex” mean?
The word “flex” means to bend a joint or tighten a muscle, often to show strength. In plain terms, literally, to bend or tighten a muscle; in slang, to show off something impressive.
How do you pronounce “flex”?
“Flex” is pronounced flehks (/flɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “flex” in a sentence?
Here is “flex” used in a sentence: “He flexed his biceps for the camera.”
What part of speech is “flex”?
Depending on how it is used, “flex” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flex” come from?
The word “flex” comes from Latin. From Latin flexus, the past participle of flectere ("to bend").
Is “flex” a common word?
“Flex” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flex” have?
“Flex” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bend a joint or tighten a muscle, often to show strength.
What is the difference between flex meaning to bend a muscle and flex meaning to boast?
The original sense of flex refers to physically bending a joint or tightening a muscle, often to show strength, such as flexing a bicep. The informal, figurative sense means to show off or boast about wealth, status, or ability, extending the idea of visibly displaying strength to displaying success or possessions.
Is flex meaning to show off formal or informal?
Flex meaning to show off or boast is informal slang, common in casual speech and social media, and would not be appropriate in formal writing or professional communication.
What does 'a flex' mean as a noun in slang?
As an informal noun, a flex refers to an instance of boasting or showing off, often about wealth, status, or achievement, as in 'buying that car was a real flex.'
What does flex mean in British electrical usage?
In chiefly British usage, a flex is a flexible insulated electrical cord or cable, such as the flex connecting a lamp or appliance to a power socket, distinct from the fitness or boasting senses.
