FLEX

What Does Flex Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

Flex means "To Show Off."

More Observations...

"Flex" is used as a slang word to refer to those times when someone shows off their wealth, possessions, or achievements, just to let everyone know how awesome they are. People love to "flex" on social media, because nothing says "I'm cool" like rubbing your success in everyone's face. "Flex" can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to an instance of showing off or a display of something impressive. As a verb, it means to engage in the act of showing off or flaunting something. For example:

Did you see Sally's post about her massive avocado toast breakfast? That's one serious avocado flex - I didn't even know they made avocados that big!
When Jo brought those homemade, gluten-free, gourmet cupcakes to the potluck, he didn't just bring dessert - he flexed his baking skills so hard, even the oven felt inadequate."

A weird flex is when someone boasts about something that isn't typically considered impressive or worth bragging about. For example:

At the party, Jeff told everyone he could recite the entire periodic table backwards. Talk about a weird flex, but okay.

Image for Flex

When I write flex, I mean this:

If you've got it, flaunt it!

Summary of Key Points

"To Show Off" is, by far, the most common meaning for Flex when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

Flex
Definition:	To Show Off
Type:	Slang Word (Jargon)
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at Flex

Flex is a slang term. Slang is informal language that consists of words, phrases, and uses of language that are often restricted to a specific context or a particular group of users. Slang is not typically used in formal or professional settings.