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

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

In “Kung Fu Panda,” Master Shifu complains, “Look at you! This fat butt, flabby arms...and this ridiculous belly!” upon meeting the film’s protagonist, a giant panda named Po Ping.

From Salon

Related Words

• lax
• sloppy