adj C1 Advanced

supple

SUH-puhl

Supple (adj) means bending easily; flexible. Example: “Stretching daily keeps her muscles supple.”

adj

Bending easily; flexible.

"Stretching daily keeps her muscles supple."

"The leather softened into a supple, worn-in jacket."

Moving with easy, graceful flexibility.

"The gymnast's supple movements amazed the crowd."

How to use supple

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEasily bendable or flexible, whether describing a body, material, or movement.

Common pairings

supple leather supple joints stay supple

Word forms

suppler comparative, suppled past tense, Supples plural, supples singular, supplest superlative

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Stretching daily keeps her muscles _____.

Etymology

From Old French souple ("soft, lithe"), from Latin supplex ("kneeling, submissive"), ultimately from sub- + plicare ("to bend") — compare "complex."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “supple” mean?

The word “supple” means bending easily; flexible. In plain terms, easily bendable or flexible, whether describing a body, material, or movement.

How do you pronounce “supple”?

“Supple” is pronounced SUH-puhl (/ˈsʌpəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “supple” in a sentence?

Here is “supple” used in a sentence: “Stretching daily keeps her muscles supple.”

What part of speech is “supple”?

“Supple” is an adjective.

Where does the word “supple” come from?

The word “supple” comes from Latin. From Old French souple ("soft, lithe"), from Latin supplex ("kneeling, submissive"), ultimately from sub- + plicare ("to bend") — compare "complex.".

How many meanings does “supple” have?

“Supple” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bending easily; flexible.

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