English dictionary — definitions & meanings

flab

noun

Soft, loose flesh on a person's body; fat.

flabagast

verb

Archaic spelling of flabbergast.

flabaghast

verb

Archaic spelling of flabbergast.

flabbergast

verb

To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner.

flabbergasted

adj

Utterly astonished or shocked.

flabbergaster

noun

A person, thing, fact or event that is flabbergasting, or that causes extreme shock.

flabbergastment

noun

Synonym of flabbergast (“overwhelming shock or surprise”)

flabby

adj

Soft and loose, lacking muscle tone.

flaccid

adj

Soft and limp; lacking firmness.

flack

noun

(informal) A publicist or press agent.

flag

noun

A piece of cloth with a distinctive design, used as a symbol of a country, organization, or signal.

flagellate

verb

To whip or scourge.

flagellation

noun

Beating, or an instance of beating, consisting of lashes, notably as corporal punishment or mortification, such as a whipping or scourging.

flageolet

noun

A type of small flute of the fipple family.

Flagg

name

An English surname, a variant spelling of Flag.

flagged

adj

Marked or noted for particular attention.

flagging

adj

Becoming tired or less dynamic; declining in strength; dwindling.

flaggy

adj

Hanging down; drooping, pendulous.

flagitious

adj

Guilty of terrible crimes; wicked, criminal.

flagpole

noun

A tall pole used to raise and display one or more flags.

flagrant

adj

Shockingly obvious and clearly wrong; blatant.

Flags

name

A nickname traditionally given to a flag lieutenant in the navy.

flagship

noun

The ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag.

flagstaff

noun

A pole used to fly a flag.

flagstone

noun

A flat, rectangular piece of rock or stone used for paving or roofing.

Flaherty

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Flaithbheartaigh, meaning "descendant of the bright ruler."

flail

noun

An old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks.

flailing

adjective

Moving in an uncontrolled, uncoordinated way, or struggling without success.

flair

noun

A natural talent or instinctive skill for doing something well.

flak

noun

Anti-aircraft gunfire, or the guns that produce it.

flake

noun

A small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.

flaked

adjective

Describes someone who has backed out of a plan or proven unreliable.

flakiness

noun

The characteristic or quality of being flaky.

flaky

adjective

Made up of thin, loose layers that easily break apart.

flam

noun

A lie or a deceptive trick meant to mislead someone.

flamboyant

adjective

Bold, showy, and confident in style or behavior, often to draw attention.

flame

noun

The visible, glowing part of a fire.

flamenco

noun

A passionate style of Spanish music and dance from the Andalusia region, marked by guitar, singing, hand-clapping, and fast footwork.

flamethrower

noun

A weapon or tool that shoots out a stream of burning fuel.

flamfew

noun

A worthless thing; a trifle or bauble.

flaming

adjective

On fire, with visible flames.

flamingo

noun

A tall wading bird with long legs, a curved neck, and pink or reddish feathers.

flammability

noun

The condition of being flammable.

flammable

adjective

Capable of catching fire easily.

flammule

noun

A little flame or flame-like pattern.

flan

noun

A baked custard dessert, often topped with caramel sauce, popular across Spain and Latin America.

Flanagan

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Flannagáin, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one."

flaneur

noun

One who wanders aimlessly, who roams, who travels at a lounging pace. One who walks to observe and enjoy rather than to get somewhere.

flange

noun

A projecting rim or edge on an object, used to add strength or attach it to something else.

flanigan

name

A surname from Irish.

flank

noun

The side of a person, animal, or group.

flanked

verb

Positioned on either side of someone or something, especially as an escort or for support.

flanker

noun

A player who plays in the back row of the scrum.

flannel

noun

A soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding.

Flannery

name

An Irish surname and given name, from Ó Flannabhra, meaning "red eyebrows."

Flannigan

name

An Irish surname, a variant spelling of Flanagan.

flap

noun

A flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent.

flapdoodle

noun

Thingamabob.

flapjack

noun

A bar made with rolled oats, butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar, baked in a tray.

flapping

noun

The action of moving up and down or side to side loosely and repeatedly.

flaps

noun

An old veterinary name for a condition causing inflammation and swelling in a horse's mouth, especially the cheeks and lips.

flare

noun

A bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device.

flared

adjective

Widening gradually toward the bottom or edge, especially describing trousers.

flares

noun

Trousers that widen from the knee down; bell-bottoms.

flaring

noun

The controlled burning off of excess gas, especially at oil and gas facilities.

flash

verb

To shine briefly or repeatedly.

flashback

noun

A scene in a story, film, or book that jumps back to an earlier point in time.

flasher

noun

A device that switches a light on and off repeatedly, such as a turn signal.

flashiness

noun

The quality of being flashy.

flashing

noun

Strips of metal used to seal joints on a roof against water, such as around chimneys or vents.

flashlight

noun

A small portable battery-powered light held in the hand.

flashman

noun

A slick salesman or spin doctor.

flashy

adjective

Showy and designed to attract attention, sometimes in a tasteless way.

flask

noun

A narrow-necked container, usually of metal or glass, used to hold and carry liquids.

flaskful

noun

As much as a flask will hold.

flat

adj

Level and even, with no slope, bumps, or curves.

flat rate

noun

A fixed charge that stays the same no matter how much of a service is used, how long it takes or how far it travels.

flatbed

adj

Having a flat, open load-carrying surface with no raised sides.

flatboat

noun

A boxy, flat-bottomed boat used for carrying livestock, freight, and people on rivers.

Flatbush

name

A neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City.

flatcar

noun

A railroad freight car without sides and roof.

flatfoot

noun

A condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground.

flatland

noun

Synonym of plain (“land of relatively constant altitude”).

flatline

noun

A continuous, unbroken line on a monitor showing that a heart or brain has stopped functioning.

flatly

adv

In a definite, absolute way that allows no argument.

flatmate

noun

(British) A person you share a flat or rented home with, without being romantically involved.

flatness

noun

The state of being flat

flatten

verb

To make something flat or level.

flattened

adj

Made flat, usually by being pressed, crushed, or beaten down.

flatter

verb

To praise someone, often more than they deserve, in order to please them or win favour.

flattered

adj

Pleased and a little proud because of a compliment or gesture.

flatterer

noun

Someone who praises others excessively or insincerely to win their favour.

flattering

adj

Making someone or something look more attractive or impressive than usual.

flattery

noun

Excessive or insincere praise, often given to win someone's favour.

flatulence

noun

Gas trapped in the digestive system, or the release of it.

flatulent

adj

Affected by gas in the intestine; likely to break wind.

flatus

noun

Gas generated in the digestive tract.

flatware

noun

Eating utensils; cutlery, such as forks, knives and spoons.

Flaubert

name

A French surname, notably that of the novelist Gustave Flaubert.

flaunt

verb

To show something off in an obvious, sometimes boastful way.

flaunting

adj

Showy or ostentatious; drawing attention to itself.

Flavia

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "golden" or "yellow-haired."

Flavius

name

A masculine given name of Latin origin, meaning "golden" or "yellow-haired," historically a common Roman family name.

flavor

noun

(American spelling) The distinct taste of a food or drink.

flavorer

noun

One who or that which flavors.

flavoring

noun

Something that gives flavor, usually a food ingredient.

flavorless

adj

Lacking taste or flavor; without seasoning, spice, or discernible qualities of taste.

flavorous

adj

Having flavour; flavorsome.

flavorsome

adj

Characterised or marked by flavor(s); flavorful.

flavour

noun

(British spelling) The distinct taste of a food or drink.

flavoured

adj

(British spelling) Having a particular taste, often from an added ingredient.

flavourer

noun

British standard spelling of flavorer.

flavourful

adj

UK standard spelling of flavorful.

flavouring

noun

British standard spelling of flavoring.

flaw

noun

A defect or imperfection, often one that is hidden or not obvious at first.

flawed

adj

Having a defect or imperfection.

flawless

adj

Completely without fault or defect; perfect.

flawlessly

adv

In a way that is completely without fault or error.

flawlessness

noun

The quality of being flawless

flawn

noun

A flan (custard-based dessert)

flax

noun

A slender plant grown for its fibers (used to make linen) and its seeds (linseed).

flaxen

adj

Made of or resembling flax fibers.

flay

verb

To strip the skin from a body.

flayed

adj

Stripped of skin; in some dialects, used as a coarse slang term for having been circumcised.

flea

noun

A tiny, wingless, jumping insect that feeds on the blood of mammals and birds.

fleabag

noun

(informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel.

fleabrain

noun

A stupid or foolish person

fleak

noun

Synonym of flake.

fleck

noun

A small spot, streak, or speckle.

fledgling

noun

A young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly.

flee

verb

To run away from danger or a threatening situation.

fleece

noun

The woolly coat of a sheep, or wool shorn from it in one piece.

fleeceable

adj

able to be fleeced; naive and gullible

fleeced

adj

Having a soft, woolly lining or covering.

fleech

verb

To wheedle; coax; cajole; induce with fair words; flatter.

fleed

noun

The raw internal fat of a pig, before it has been rendered down into lard.

fleeing

verb

Present participle of "flee": running away from danger.

fleet

noun

A group of ships, vehicles, or aircraft operated together, especially under one owner or command.

fleeting

adj

Lasting only a very short time; passing quickly.

fleetingly

adv

in a fleeting manner; transiently

fleetly

adv

In a fleet manner; swiftly

Fleetwood

name

An English surname and place name, also a town in Lancashire, England.

Fleischman

name

A surname of German and Jewish origin, an occupational name for a butcher.

Fleming

noun

A person from Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.

Flemish

adj

Relating to Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, or its culture and people.

Flemming

name

An English and German surname, a variant spelling of Fleming, originally denoting someone from Flanders.

flesh

noun

The soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone.

flesher

noun

A person who removes the flesh from the skin during the making of leather.

fleshlight

noun

A vagina-, anus-, or mouth-shaped sex toy which is designed to stimulate and fit around the penis to aid masturbation.

fleshly

adj

Of or relating to the body.