supple

Meaning

Adj

1. Pliant, flexible, easy to bend.
2. Lithe and agile when moving and bending.
3. (figuratively) Compliant; yielding to the will of others.
4. Smooth and drinkable.

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) To make or become supple.
2. (transitive) To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.

Synonyms

flexible

pliant

limber

lithe

pliable

elastic

lissom

soft

limp

bendable

lissome

lithesome

delicate

whippy

adaptable

svelte

tender

nimble

agile

sylphlike

resilient

smoothtongued

slender

springy

weak

withy

become supple

is soft

make supple

plastic clay

bendy

unexacting

soft-skinned

well-toned

adaptive

biddable

compliant

ductile

firm

flattering

graceful

light

light-hearted

live

moldable

nonrigid

obedient

pert

plastic

spry

Translations

souple

geschmeidig

flexible

cedevole

soepel

lenig

flessibile

pieghevole

gefügig

assouplir

flexible

très souple

buigzaam

elastisch

duttile

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsʌpəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: souple

In summary

From Middle English souple, from Old French souple, soupple (“soft, lithe, yielding”), from Latin supplic-, supplex (“suppliant, submissive, kneeling”), of uncertain formation. Either from sub + plicō (“bend”) (compare complex), or from sub + plācō (“placate”). More at sub-, placate.