adj
flaccid
FLA-sihd
Flaccid (adj) means Soft and limp; lacking firmness. Example: “The plant's leaves turned flaccid without water.”
adj
1
Soft and limp; lacking firmness.
"The plant's leaves turned flaccid without water."
"Colonel Korn, a stocky, dark, flaccid man with a shapeless paunch, sat completely relaxed on one of the benches in the front row, his hands clasped comfortably over the top of his bald and swarthy head."
— Joseph Heller (1955)
2
Lacking energy, force, or conviction.
"The flaccid economy of the 1970s rendered Americans even more hostile toward liberal welfare policies."
— Jeff Bloodworth, THE PROGRAM FOR BETTER JOBS AND INCOME (2006)
"Critics called the sequel a flaccid retread of the original."
How to use flaccid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLimp and lacking firmness or strength — physically, or figuratively (a weak plan, argument, etc).
Common pairings
flaccid muscle
flaccid response
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more flaccid
- Superlative
- most flaccid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plant's leaves turned _____ without water.
Etymology
From Latin flaccidus, "drooping, limp," related to flaccus, "flabby."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “flaccid” mean?
The word “flaccid” means soft and limp; lacking firmness. In plain terms, limp and lacking firmness or strength — physically, or figuratively (a weak plan, argument, etc).
How do you pronounce “flaccid”?
“Flaccid” is pronounced FLA-sihd (/ˈflæ(k)sɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “flaccid” in a sentence?
Here is “flaccid” used in a sentence: “The plant's leaves turned flaccid without water.”
What part of speech is “flaccid”?
“Flaccid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “flaccid” come from?
The word “flaccid” comes from Latin. From Latin flaccidus, "drooping, limp," related to flaccus, "flabby.".
How many meanings does “flaccid” have?
“Flaccid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: soft and limp; lacking firmness.
