malleable

/ˈma-lē-ə-bəl/

Middle English malliable, from Medieval Latin malleabilis, from malleare to hammer, from Latin malleus hammer

adjective

  1. capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers

  2. capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences

  3. having a capacity for adaptive change

plastic pliable pliant ductile malleable adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature. plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form. pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.