flap

[ flap ]

verb (used without object)

, flapped, flap·ping.

1. to swing or sway back and forth loosely, especially with noise:

   A loose shutter flapped outside the window.

2. to move up and down, as wings; flap the wings, or make similar movements.
3. to strike a blow with something broad and flexible.
4. Slang. to become excited or confused, especially under stress:

   a seasoned diplomat who doesn't flap easily.

verb (used with object)

, flapped, flap·ping.

1. to move (wings, arms, etc.) up and down.
2. to cause to swing or sway loosely, especially with noise.
3. to strike with something broad and flat.
4. to toss, fold, shut, etc., smartly, roughly, or noisily.
5. Phonetics. to pronounce (a sound) with articulation resembling that of a flap:

   The British often flap their r's.

noun

1. something flat and broad that is attached at one side only and hangs loosely or covers an opening:

   the flap of an envelope; the flap of a pocket.

2. either of the two segments of a book jacket folding under the book's front and back covers.
3. one leaf of a folding door, shutter, or the like.
4. a flapping motion.
5. the noise produced by something that flaps.
6. a blow given with something broad and flat.
7. Slang.
   1. a state of nervous excitement, commotion, or disorganization.
   2. an emergency situation.
   3. scandal; trouble.
8. Surgery. a portion of skin or flesh that is partially separated from the body and may subsequently be transposed by grafting.
9. Aeronautics. a movable surface used for increasing the lift or drag of an airplane.
10. Phonetics.
    1. a rapid flip of the tongue tip against the upper teeth or alveolar ridge, as in the r -sound in a common British pronunciation of very, or the t -sound in the common American pronunciation of water.
    2. a trill.
    3. a flipping out of the lower lip from a position of pressure against the upper teeth so as to produce an audible pop, as in emphatic utterances containing f -sounds or v -sounds.
11. Building Trades.
    1. Also called back·flap hinge [bak, -flap , hinj],. a hinge having a strap or plate for screwing to the face of a door, shutter, or the like.
    2. one leaf of a hinge.

flap

/ flæp /

verb

1. to move (wings or arms) up and down, esp in or as if in flying, or (of wings or arms) to move in this way
2. to move or cause to move noisily back and forth or up and down

   the curtains flapped in the breeze

3. informal.
   intr to become agitated or flustered; panic
4. to deal (a person or thing) a blow with a broad flexible object
5. trsometimes foll bydown to toss, fling, slam, etc, abruptly or noisily
6. tr phonetics to pronounce (an (r) sound) by allowing the tongue to give a single light tap against the alveolar ridge or uvula

noun

1. the action, motion, or noise made by flapping

   with one flap of its wings the bird was off

2. a piece of material, etc, attached at one edge and usually used to cover an opening, as on a tent, envelope, or pocket
3. a blow dealt with a flat object; slap
4. a movable surface fixed to the trailing edge of an aircraft wing that increases lift during takeoff and drag during landing
5. surgery a piece of tissue partially connected to the body, either following an amputation or to be used as a graft
6. informal.
   a state of panic, distress, or agitation
7. phonetics an (r) produced by allowing the tongue to give a single light tap against the alveolar ridge or uvula

Other Words From

• flap·less adjective
• un·flap·ping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flap¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English flappe “a blow, slap,” flappen “to hit, slap”; compare Dutch flap, flappen

Word History and Origins

Origin of flap¹

C14: probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The “Jeopardy!” contestant who received an in-show apology because of a “problematic” clue has responded to the flap.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the latest TikTok trend, Californians are known to drop the “t” sound in words in a process called “flapping.”

From Los Angeles Times

A large red Shia flag flaps in the wind nearby - it is almost the only sound in the largely abandoned town.

From BBC

In August, there was a brief flap when the Trump cabal, attempting to use Arlington Cemetery for partisan purposes, filmed a campaign ad amid the gravestones.

From Salon

He said it was possible in some patients to leave thicker flaps, but that did not mean leaving breast tissue behind.

From BBC

Related Words

• dangle
• flail
• flop
• hang
• thrash
• vibrate