adj
pliable
PLEYE-uh-buhl
Pliable (adj) means Easily bent or shaped without breaking. Example: “Warm the clay slightly to make it more pliable.”
adj
1
Easily bent or shaped without breaking.
"Warm the clay slightly to make it more pliable."
"The wire is thin and pliable enough to twist into any shape."
2
Easily influenced or persuaded.
"He was a pliable negotiator who gave in at the first sign of pressure."
How to use pliable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBendable, either physically (like soft material) or in terms of someone's willingness to be swayed.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pliable
- Superlative
- most pliable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Warm the clay slightly to make it more _____.
Etymology
From Old French ploiable, from ploiier ("to fold") — related to the word "ply."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for pliable
See all rhymes for pliable →Frequently asked questions
What does “pliable” mean?
The word “pliable” means easily bent or shaped without breaking. In plain terms, bendable, either physically (like soft material) or in terms of someone's willingness to be swayed.
How do you pronounce “pliable”?
“Pliable” is pronounced PLEYE-uh-buhl (/ˈplaɪəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pliable” in a sentence?
Here is “pliable” used in a sentence: “Warm the clay slightly to make it more pliable.”
What part of speech is “pliable”?
“Pliable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pliable” come from?
The word “pliable” comes from Old French. From Old French ploiable, from ploiier ("to fold") — related to the word "ply.".
How many meanings does “pliable” have?
“Pliable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily bent or shaped without breaking.
