adjective
pliable
PLY-uh-bul/ˈplaɪəbl/
Easily bent or shaped.
The pliable clay bends easily into a smooth curve without cracking.
Etymology
The pieces express the ability to be folded or bent without breaking. That physical yielding became a figurative description of someone whose opinions or disposition readily bend under influence or argument.
In context
… help the tobacco to become a little bit more elastic, more pliable. >> NARRATOR: The tobacco is harvested by hand …
More examples
- The clay stays pliable as long as it remains damp.
- Choose pliable wire that bends easily around the frame.
- Let the chilled dough soften until it feels pliable.
Forms
pliable · more pliable · most pliable
pliability noun — The quality of being easily bent or shaped.