noun
flail
flayl
Flail (noun) means an old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks. Example: “Before machines, farmers used a flail to thresh wheat by hand.”
noun
1
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."
2
A weapon with a heavy striking head joined to the handle by a chain or flexible link.
"The knight in the painting carries a spiked flail."
verb
1
To wave or swing about wildly and without control.
"He flailed his arms as he slipped on the ice."
"The swimmer flailed helplessly against the current."
How to use flail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used today for arms or legs swinging around out of control, rather than the farm tool or weapon.
Common pairings
flail about
flailing arms
flail wildly
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Word forms
- Plural
- flails
- Third person singular
- flails
- Past tense
- flailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Before machines, farmers used a _____ to thresh wheat by hand.
Etymology
From Old English flegel, an old Germanic farm-tool word, related to German Flegel; possibly ultimately linked to Latin flagellum, "whip."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for flail
See all rhymes for 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.
