March 30, 2012
pliable (adjective)
\PLY-uh-bul\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
1 : possible to bend without breaking2 : easily influenced
How do you use it?
Our horseback riding instructor showed us how to care for our saddles and bridles so that the leather will stay soft and pliable.
Are you a word wiz?

Which word do you think has a meaning similar to "pliable"?

"Pliable" and "malleable," along with "flexible" and "ductile," mean able to be changed in form or nature. "Pliable" suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated, as in "pliable rubber tubing." "Malleable" applies to things that can be pressed or beaten into shape, as in "a malleable material like wet clay." "Flexible" applies to something which can be bent or folded without breaking, as in "a shoe with a flexible sole." "Ductile" applies to things that can be drawn out or extended easily, as in "ductile metals such as copper or gold."
Archive RSS Feed