# supple

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈsʌpəl/ · frequency rank #34,310

## Definitions
1. Pliant, flexible, easy to bend.
2. Lithe and agile when moving and bending.
3. Compliant; yielding to the will of others.
4. Smooth and drinkable.

## Etymology
From Middle English souple, from Old French souple, soupple (“soft, lithe, yielding”), from Latin supplic-, supplex (“suppliant, submissive, kneeling”), of uncertain formation. Either from sub + plicō (“bend”) (compare complex), or from sub + plācō (“placate”). More at sub-, placate.

## Easily confused with
- **supply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supple-vs-supply)
- **suppose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supple-vs-suppose)
- **supplies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supple-vs-supplies)
- **supplied** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supple-vs-supplied)
- **supplier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supple-vs-supplier)
- **supp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supp-vs-supple)
- **simple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simple-vs-supple)
- **sample** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sample-vs-supple)
- **subtle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subtle-vs-supple)
- **supper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/supper-vs-supple)
- **staple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/staple-vs-supple)

## Common misspellings (7)
`spuple`, `ssupple`, `suple`, `suplpe`, `suppel`, `supplle`, `uspple`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/supple