flabby

[ flab-ee ]

adjective

, flab·bi·er, flab·bi·est.

1. hanging loosely or limply, as flesh or muscles; flaccid.
2. having such flesh.
3. lacking strength or determination.

flabby

/ ˈflæbɪ /

adjective

1. lacking firmness; loose or yielding

   flabby muscles

2. having flabby flesh, esp through being overweight
3. lacking vitality; weak; ineffectual

Derived Forms

• ˈflabbiness, noun
• ˈflabbily, adverb

Other Words From

• flabbi·ly adverb
• flabbi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flabby¹

1690–1700; apparently expressive alteration of earlier flappy, with same sense; flap, -y ¹; compare late Middle English flabband (attested once), evidently with sense “flapping”

Word History and Origins

Origin of flabby¹

C17: alteration of flappy , from flap + -y ¹; compare Dutch flabbe drooping lip

Example Sentences

About a year and a half ago, it occurred to me that if I didn’t start working out again, I’d be sliding into a sloppy, flabby late middle age.

From Los Angeles Times

Mark Galeotti believes Moscow views Germany as a large but “flabby” power, making it the ideal pressure point.

From BBC

Using biceps to help a flabby candidate with a bandaged ear, Mr. Bollea’s charge was to infuse masculinity into a visually bland gaggle of endorsers and supporters drawn to muscle pornography.

From Salon

The long and flabby performance was, at the least, a squandered political opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times

The central mystery is flabby and uncompelling and it feels obligatory at best, a real-estate scandal offering a loose background in front of which these actors play.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lax
• sloppy