flexicurity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; primarily academic, political, and economic discourse.
Quick answer
What does “flexicurity” mean?
A labour market policy combining labour market flexibility with employment security and social welfare benefits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A labour market policy combining labour market flexibility with employment security and social welfare benefits.
An economic and social model that seeks to balance an employer's need for a flexible workforce (easy hiring and firing) with the employee's need for security (income stability and social safety nets). The term is often used in discussions of European Union social policy and modern welfare states.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more established in UK and EU political discourse. In American English, the concept is often discussed but the specific term is less frequently used, with phrases like 'flexible security' or 'labor market adaptation' being more common.
Connotations
In British/EU contexts, it has positive connotations of a modern, balanced social compromise. In American contexts, it may be viewed with more skepticism, associated with European social models.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to closer ties to EU policy debates. Low frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “flexicurity” in a Sentence
The government is committed to [flexicurity].The debate centres on the concept of [flexicurity].They aim to implement a model of [flexicurity].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flexicurity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – The word is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – The word is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – No adverbial form exists.
American English
- N/A – No adverbial form exists.
adjective
British English
- N/A – The word is not used as an adjective. Use 'flexicurity-based' or 'flexicurity-oriented'.
- The flexicurity model has been influential.
American English
- N/A – The word is not used as an adjective. Use 'flexicurity-based' or 'flexicurity-oriented'.
- They discussed flexicurity principles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR and corporate strategy to discuss adaptable workforce planning coupled with employee support systems.
Academic
Common in political science, economics, and sociology papers analysing welfare states and labour markets.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation. Might appear in quality newspaper articles or political discussions.
Technical
A technical term in EU policy documents, labour economics, and social policy reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flexicurity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flexicurity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flexicurity”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a flexicurity approach' – better: 'a flexicurity-based approach'). Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a flexicurity' – it's uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised term used mainly in academic, policy-making, and economic journalism contexts. An average native speaker might not know it.
No. It describes a system, policy, or model, not personal attributes. A person might value or benefit from flexicurity policies, but they are not 'flexicurity' themselves.
Typically identified as: 1) flexible and reliable contractual arrangements, 2) comprehensive lifelong learning strategies, 3) effective active labour market policies, and 4) modern social security systems.
Denmark, whose 'Danish Model' is frequently cited as a leading real-world example of flexicurity principles in action.
A labour market policy combining labour market flexibility with employment security and social welfare benefits.
Flexicurity is usually formal; primarily academic, political, and economic discourse. in register.
Flexicurity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflɛksɪˈkjʊərɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflɛksɪˈkjʊrəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The 'golden triangle' of flexicurity (referring to its three pillars).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLEX your workforce + SECURITY for workers = FLEXICURITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOCIAL CONTRACT (between employer and employee/state). A BALANCING ACT (between two competing needs).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'flexicurity' MOST appropriately used?