noun
Uncommon
Fleming
FLEH-mihng
Fleming (noun) means a person from Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Example: “His grandfather was a Fleming who settled in London after the war.”
noun
1
A person from Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.
"His grandfather was a Fleming who settled in London after the war."
"The exhibition traced the influence of Flemish weavers brought to England by Flemings."
How to use Fleming
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone from Flanders, as opposed to a Walloon (from French-speaking Belgium).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- Flemings
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His grandfather was a _____ who settled in London after the war.
Etymology
From Middle English flameng, tracing back through Old Norse and Middle Dutch forms tied to Flanders, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "flowing water" plus a suffix meaning "belonging to."
Rhymes for Fleming
See all rhymes for Fleming →Frequently asked questions
What does “Fleming” mean?
The word “Fleming” means a person from Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. In plain terms, someone from Flanders, as opposed to a Walloon (from French-speaking Belgium).
How do you pronounce “Fleming”?
“Fleming” is pronounced FLEH-mihng (/ˈflɛmɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Fleming” in a sentence?
Here is “Fleming” used in a sentence: “His grandfather was a Fleming who settled in London after the war.”
What part of speech is “Fleming”?
“Fleming” is a noun.
Where does the word “Fleming” come from?
The word “Fleming” comes from Middle English. From Middle English flameng, tracing back through Old Norse and Middle Dutch forms tied to Flanders, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "flowing water" plus a suffix meaning "belonging to.".
Is “Fleming” a common word?
“Fleming” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a Fleming and a Walloon?
A Fleming is a person from Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium, while a Walloon is from Wallonia, the French-speaking southern region. The distinction reflects Belgium's two main linguistic and cultural communities.
Is "Fleming" the same as "Flemish"?
"Fleming" is the noun for a person from Flanders, while "Flemish" is the adjective describing the language, culture, or people of Flanders, as in "Flemish cuisine." You would say "she is a Fleming" but "she speaks Flemish."
Do all Belgians identify as Flemings?
No, only Belgians from the Dutch-speaking Flanders region are called Flemings; those from French-speaking Wallonia are Walloons instead. Belgium has multiple linguistic communities, and "Fleming" refers specifically to one of them.
