supple

[SUPPLE]

英 ['sʌpl] 美 ['sʌpl]

adj.柔软的；逢迎的；灵活的vt.使柔软；使柔顺vi.变柔软；变柔顺

◉词源

源自古法语 souple（柔软的、顺从的），来自拉丁语 supplex（屈膝的、顺从的），原指“弯曲的、屈从的”，13世纪进入英语，先指身体柔韧，后扩展为物质柔软或思维灵活。

◉外刊例句

① 《The New York Times》，2025

As adults age, their vocal cords often become thinner and less supple.

随着年龄增长，成年人的声带往往变得更薄、更不柔韧。

② 《The New York Times》，2025

This one leaves skin hydrated and supple.

这款产品让皮肤保持水润和柔软。

◉经典名著

The pasta is supple, just firm enough.

意大利面柔韧恰好，不太硬。

Her body was young and supple.

她的身体年轻而柔韧。

◉ Usage Examples

(1) I picture my spine supple and flexible.

(2) The leather I tanned is supple and durable.

(3) Exercise keeps you supple.

(4) She has a supple mind.

(5) It had simply made her sympathetic and supple.

(6) It tends to be firm yet delicate and supple great elegance develops with age.

(1) 我想像我的脊椎是柔软弹性的。

(2) 我鞣制的皮革特别柔韧耐用。

(3) 经常锻炼可使身体灵活。

(4) 她头脑灵活。

(5) 它只是使她变得随和柔顺而已。

(6) 它趋向于结实但仍精细和柔顺，随着陈年的发展，非常高雅。

◉ Usage Notes

Something or someone that is supple bends and moves easily, like a contortionist at a circus sideshow. If you can wrap your legs around your neck, you most likely have a supple body.

Supple is often used as an adjective describing a body — such as a dancer’s; a fabric — such as soft leather; or a sound — such as an accomplished singer’s voice. This makes for a strange supple family, but all of its members can move with ease and flexibility. More idiomatically, supple can also be used to describe a mind. In this sense, it does not mean “easily brainwashed,” but has a more positive association with the open-mindedness of free-thinkers.

◉柯林斯词典

1. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](物体、材料)易弯曲的，柔软的，柔韧的 A supple object or material bends or changes shape easily without cracking or breaking.

The leather is supple and sturdy enough to last for years...

该皮革柔软而结实，足以用上数年。

Traditional cheesemaking skills give our brie its soft, supple, creamy texture.

用传统干酪制作技术制成的布里干酪柔软，不易裂开，而且口感细滑。

suppleness

This luxurious talcum lotion restores softness and suppleness to dehydrated skin.

这种奢侈的滑石润肤露能使缺水的皮肤恢复柔软与弹性。

2. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](人)灵活的，柔韧性好的 A supple person can move and bend their body very easily.

Paul was incredibly supple and strong...

保罗身体极其灵活，而且非常结实。

Try these simple exercises to keep your feet supple.

尝试做这些简单的锻炼来保持双脚的柔韧性。

suppleness

Exercise in pregnancy can build up your strength and suppleness.

孕期锻炼身体可以增强体力和柔韧性。

3. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](味道)醇滑的；(声音)悦耳的 If you describe something such as a flavour or a sound as supple, you like it because it is smooth and rich. [LITERARY 文]

The wine has a medium-bodied, supple flavour.

该葡萄酒味道不浓不淡，口感醇滑。

...the haunting didgeridoo, the teasing keyboards and the supple bassline.

萦绕心头的迪吉里杜管奏出的曲调，戏谑挑逗的电子键盘声和低沉悦耳的贝司音乐