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elástico

eh-LAHS-tee-ko/eˈlastiko/

stretchy

Also: elastic
A close-up of a person's hands pulling a piece of bright red fabric to show its stretchiness.

📝 In Action

Estos pantalones son muy elásticos y cómodos.

A1

These pants are very stretchy and comfortable.

La goma es un material elástico que recupera su forma.

B1

Rubber is an elastic material that recovers its shape.

Necesitamos una cuerda elástica para sujetar las maletas.

B1

We need a stretchy cord to hold the suitcases.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • flexible (flexible)
  • extensible (extendable)

Antonyms

  • rígido (rigid)
  • inelástico (inelastic)

Common Collocations

  • cintura elástica – elastic waistband
  • material elástico – stretchy material
  • tejido elástico – elastic fabric

flexible

Also: adaptable
A soft, green garden hose bending into a smooth loop to show flexibility.

📝 In Action

Tenemos un horario elástico en la oficina.

B1

We have a flexible schedule at the office.

La ley es un poco elástica en este punto.

B2

The law is a bit flexible on this point.

Su concepto de la verdad es bastante elástico.

C1

His concept of the truth is quite flexible.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adaptable (adaptable)
  • moldeable (moldable)

Antonyms

  • estricto (strict)
  • inflexible (inflexible)

Common Collocations

  • horario elástico – flexible schedule
  • normas elásticas – loose rules

rubber band

Also: elastic
NounmB1
Argentina/Uruguay
A single thick blue rubber band sitting on a plain wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Se me rompió el elástico del pelo.

A2

My hair tie (elastic) broke.

Sujeta los papeles con un elástico.

B1

Hold the papers together with a rubber band.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • goma (rubber band)
  • liga (hair tie/band (Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • elástico de repuesto – spare rubber band

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "elástico" in Spanish:

elastic→stretchy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: elástico

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a pair of stretchy socks?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
elasticidad(elasticity) — Noun
elastano(spandex/elastane) — Noun
elastina(elastin) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
plásticofantásticodrástico
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'elastikos' (meaning 'driving' or 'propelling'), which moved into Modern Latin as 'elasticus' to describe things that spring back.

First recorded: 18th century (in a scientific context)

Cognates (Related words)

English: elasticFrench: élastiqueItalian: elastico

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'elástico' to describe a person's personality?

Usually, we use 'flexible' for people. 'Elástico' is better for materials or systems (like rules or schedules) rather than a person's character.

Is 'elástico' the same as 'goma'?

'Goma' is the material (rubber), while 'elástico' refers to the property of being stretchy. However, in many places, people use them interchangeably to mean 'rubber band'.

Does 'elástico' have an accent mark?

Yes! It always has an accent on the 'a' (elástico) because the stress is on the third-to-last syllable.