flounce

¹

[ flouns ]

verb (used without object)

, flounced, flounc·ing.

1. to go with impatient or impetuous, exaggerated movements:

   The star flounced out of the studio in a rage.

   Synonyms: bounce, prance, bound, storm

2. to throw the body about spasmodically; flounder.

noun

1. an act or instance of flouncing; a flouncing movement.

flounce

²

[ flouns ]

noun

1. a strip of material gathered or pleated and attached at one edge, with the other edge left loose or hanging: used for trimming, as on the edge of a skirt or sleeve or on a curtain, slipcover, etc.

verb (used with object)

, flounced, flounc·ing.

1. to trim with flounces.

flounce

¹

/ flaʊns /

verb

1. intr; often foll by about, away, out, etc to move or go with emphatic or impatient movements

noun

1. the act of flouncing

flounce

²

/ flaʊns /

noun

1. an ornamental gathered ruffle sewn to a garment by its top edge

Word History and Origins

Origin of flounce¹

1535–45; of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Norwegian flunsa to hurry

Origin of flounce²

First recorded in 1665–75; alteration of obsolete frounce wrinkle

Word History and Origins

Origin of flounce¹

C16: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian flunsa to hurry, Swedish flunsa to splash

Origin of flounce²

C18: from Old French fronce wrinkle, from froncir to wrinkle, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

I chanced a wan peek out of the flounce.

From Literature

For fall, diaphanous tiers of 1970s flounce in almost angelically light hues defined the show’s aesthetic inside a brutalist warehouse space.

From Seattle Times

The tall, slim teen, sporting a black A-line dress with sequins and a flounce at the hem, switched from acoustic guitar to electric during the show, and continuously worked the crowd, signing autographs and shaking hands.”

From Seattle Times

Ana de Armas, best actress nominee for "Blonde," wore a silver column dress with a flamenco dancer-like flounce on the bottom.

From Reuters

Viard pared down the superfluous often associated with haute couture, offering mostly trim silhouettes, with just enough flounce, when it came to fuller skirts, or restricting the color palette when it came embellished looks, like a full length ivory coat covered in ruffled pleats.

From Reuters