flap
flap
Flap (noun) means a flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent. Example: “She sealed the flap of the envelope.”
noun
1
A flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent.
"She sealed the flap of the envelope."
2
A hinged panel on an aircraft wing used to control lift.
"The pilot lowered the flaps before landing."
3
(informal) A sudden fuss, panic, or scandal.
"There was a big flap in the office over the leaked memo."
verb
1
To move up and down or back and forth, especially a wing or something loose.
"The bird flapped its wings and took off."
"The tent flap flapped loudly in the wind."
How to use flap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loose hinged piece that swings or hangs (on an envelope, plane wing, pocket), or to move something that way; informally, also a sudden panic or fuss.
Common pairings
flap its wings
in a flap
pocket flap
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Word forms
- Plural
- flaps
- Third person singular
- flaps
- Past tense
- flapped
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She sealed the _____ of the envelope.
Etymology
From Middle English flappe, "a slap or blow," related to the idea of something loose striking against something else.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for flap
See all rhymes for flap →Frequently asked questions
What does “flap” mean?
The word “flap” means a flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent. In plain terms, a loose hinged piece that swings or hangs (on an envelope, plane wing, pocket), or to move something that way; informally, also a sudden panic or fuss.
How do you pronounce “flap”?
“Flap” is pronounced flap (/flæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “flap” in a sentence?
Here is “flap” used in a sentence: “She sealed the flap of the envelope.”
What part of speech is “flap”?
Depending on how it is used, “flap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “flap” come from?
The word “flap” comes from Middle English. From Middle English flappe, "a slap or blow," related to the idea of something loose striking against something else.
Is “flap” a common word?
“Flap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “flap” have?
“Flap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent.
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