Stretching: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about exercises to make your muscles longer and more flexible, often before or after physical activity.

• She does stretching exercises every morning to stay flexible
• After running, it's important to do some stretching to cool down

Usually refers to the action of tightening muscles or showing off muscle tone. Can also mean bending a part of the body, often during exercise.

• He was flexing his muscles in front of the mirror
• Flexing your arm muscles can help improve strength

Refers to exercises or activities done before physical activity to prepare the body, increase heart rate and blood flow to muscles.

• It's essential to spend at least ten minutes warming up before any workout
• The team was warming up on the field before the game started

Typically used to describe gentle exercises to make the body more flexible in preparation for physical activity.

• The dancers spent an hour limbering up before rehearsal
• Limbering exercises can help prevent injuries

Used when talking about physical action of extending something to its full length or capacity. Often associated with warming up exercises, physical therapy, or general limbering up of muscles.

• She started her morning with some light stretching
• The stretching exercises help improve flexibility

Refers to the process of making something more elastic or flexible. Typically used in manufacturing, textiles, or materials science.

• The fabric undergoes a process of elasticizing to make it stretchier
• Elasticizing the waistband makes the pants more comfortable

Implies increasing in size, volume, or scope. Commonly used in contexts like business growth, spatial adjustments, or increasing capacity.

• The company is expanding its operations to new markets
• The balloon is expanding as air is pumped into it

Describes the ability to bend easily without breaking. Can relate to physical objects, schedules, or even attitudes.

• She has a very flexible schedule
• This material is highly flexible and durable

Typically used in physical activity or exercise to describe extending muscles for flexibility. Can also mean making something longer or larger in a metaphorical sense.

• She begins her day with some light stretching exercises.
• The budget is really stretching this month.

Used to describe making something longer in time, space, or scope. It can be used in formal or casual contexts.

• We need to extend the deadline by a week.
• The road will be extended by two kilometers.

Primarily used to describe increasing the length of something physical or, less commonly, time. Often has a somewhat formal tone.

• He decided to lengthen the sleeves of his shirt.
• They are planning to lengthen the duration of the event.

Usually has a negative connotation and is used to describe forcefully stretching or putting stress on something, which can result in damage or injury.

• He strained his back lifting that heavy box.
• Don't strain yourself trying to meet the unrealistic deadline.