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

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."

Easily influenced or persuaded.

"He was a pliable negotiator who gave in at the first sign of pressure."

How to use pliable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBendable, either physically (like soft material) or in terms of someone's willingness to be swayed.

Easily confused with

pliant →

Word forms

more pliable comparative, most pliable superlative

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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."

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for pliable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

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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.