Correct spelling, explanation: the word flexible is made by adding the suffix -ible (meaning: to be possible), to the base word flex. You may know that the suffix -ible and -able mean the same thing, and wonder why flexible uses one over the other. There are two rules here: -ible is used when there is no full base word (like edible), and in certain words of Latin origin only – which is why we use it in flexible.
Definition of flexible:
adjective
1. elastic, possible to bend
Gymnasts are very flexible due to years of stretching and practice.
2. possible to change or adjust
My workplace offers flexible working hours, which means I don’t have to work 9-5.
Incorrect spelling, explanation: there may be some confusion around when to use the suffix -able and when to use -ible. They look similar, and mean the same thing, so why is flexable an incorrect word and flexible correct? In general, we mostly use -able to create new words and it’s quite versatile. On the other hand, -ible is used only in certain words of Latin origin (like flex), and in the case of words that don’t have a clear base word.
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Unfortunately, the word “flexible” is actually spelled wrong. We’ve been spelling it wrong for generations. I mean, the person who decided how to officially spell this word spelled it wrong. It should be “flexable” with an “a”.
Think about it.
Flexible a combo of two words:
1. flex
2. able
The meaning is “able to flex”.
Look at how these similar, related words are spelled:
– relatable (able to relate)
– doable (able to do)
– memorable (able to remember or able to memorize)
The spellings for these words make sense because the words include the word “able” as intended.
Fortunately, most languages evolve. So perhaps down the road someone with half a brain will change the correct spelling of this word from “flexible” to “flexable”.
So the moral of the story is that I hate the fact that intelligent people have to follow rules invented long ago by people who make no sense.
We love this English dictionary.
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