flex
word
Definition
To bend or tighten a part of your body, especially a muscle, to show its shape. Informally, it also means to show off or boast about something you have or can do.
Usage & Nuances
As a verb, 'flex' is neutral in formal contexts (talking about muscles) but slang in the sense of showing off. In slang, 'flex' is often used as 'big flex' (impressive boast) or 'weird flex' (strange thing to show off). Don't confuse with 'flicks' or 'fix'.
Spanish: flexionar - presumir (informal)Portuguese (BR): flexionar - ostentar (gíria)Portuguese (PT): fletir - exibir (gíria)Chinese (Simplified): 弯曲 - 炫耀（俚语）Chinese (Traditional): 彎曲 - 炫耀（俚語）Hindi: मोड़ना - दिखावा करना (स्लैंग)Arabic: يثني - يتباهى (عامية)Bengali: ভাঁজ করা - শক্ত করা (পেশী) - দেখানো (আড়ালে গর্ব করা/দাম্ভিকতা করা)Russian: напрягать (мышцы) - похвастаться (разг.)Japanese: 曲げる - 力こぶを作る - 見せびらかす（スラング）Vietnamese: uốn cong - gồng (cơ) - khoe khoang (lóng)Korean: 구부리다 - 힘주다 (근육) - 자랑하다 (속어)Turkish: bükmek - kaslarını göstermek - hava atmak (argo)Urdu: موڑنا - اکڑانا (عضلات) - شیخی مارنا (غیررسمی)Indonesian: melenturkan - menegangkan (otot) - pamer (slang)
Example Sentences
He likes to flex his muscles at the gym.
basic
Can you flex your arm for me?
basic
She can flex her fingers easily.
basic
He's always trying to flex his new phone at school.
natural
That's a weird flex, but okay.
natural
No need to flex—we're all friends here.
natural