flail
3 synonyms for flail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks.
“Before machines, farmers used a flail to thresh wheat by hand.”
How to use flail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
flail about
flailing arms
flail wildly
Etymology
From Old English flegel, an old Germanic farm-tool word, related to German Flegel; possibly ultimately linked to Latin flagellum, "whip."
Full origin of flail →Frequently asked questions
What does “flail” mean?
The word “flail” means an old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks. In plain terms, most often used today for arms or legs swinging around out of control, rather than the farm tool or weapon.
How do you pronounce “flail”?
“Flail” is pronounced flayl (/fleɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “flail” in a sentence?
Here is “flail” used in a sentence: “Before machines, farmers used a flail to thresh wheat by hand.”
What part of speech is “flail”?
Depending on how it is used, “flail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “flail” come from?
The word “flail” comes from Latin. From Old English flegel, an old Germanic farm-tool word, related to German Flegel; possibly ultimately linked to Latin flagellum, "whip.".
How many meanings does “flail” have?
“Flail” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks.
