Flap — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈflap/

Meaning & Definition of Flap

Flap (noun)

  1. something that is broad or flat and usually thin and flexible and that hangs loose or projects freely
  2. a piece on a garment that hangs free
  3. a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover

Flap (verb)

  1. to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
  2. to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
  3. to progress by flapping

Flap (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state of wildly excited activity or emotion

    "there was a major flap when area residents found out that the President would be visiting"

    similar: agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, frenzy, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar
    related: chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil, bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, tempest, to-do, tumult
    near: calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquility, tranquilness

Flap (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to move or cause to move with a striking motion

    "the stirring sight of a huge flock of geese flapping their wings"

    similar: beat, flail, flop, flutter, whip
    related: bang, batter, buffet, knock, pound, smack, spank, thump, flick, flicker, flit, fan, oscillate, sway, swing, undulate, wave, palpitate, pulse, throb

Related Entry: Flip-flop (noun)

Flip-flop is a different word from Flap. The synonyms below are for flip-flop, not for flap.

  1. a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite

    "the governor's frequent flip-flops would indicate that she has no core beliefs"

    similar: about-face, about-turn (British), reversal, turnabout, turnaround, U-turn, volte-face, change of heart
    related: bait and switch, switcheroo, denial, disaffirmance, disavowal, disownment, recantation, renunciation, repudiation, retraction, reconsideration, retreat, second thought, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Flap

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flap:

agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, frenzy, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar, beat, flail, flop, flutter, whip

Related Words for Flap

chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil, bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, tempest, to-do, tumult

Near Antonyms of Flap

calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquility, tranquilness

Word Forms of Flap

Inflections: flapped, flapping

Origin & Etymology of Flap

Middle English flappe

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Flap

mud flap, in a flap

Frequently Asked Questions about Flap

What does "Flap" mean?

"Flap" means something that is broad or flat and usually thin and flexible and that hangs loose or projects freely. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: something that is broad or flat and usually thin and flexible and that hangs loose or projects freely. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flap"?

Other words for "Flap" include agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, frenzy and furor. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flap" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flap"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flap". Common alternatives include agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, frenzy, furor, furore and fury.

How do you use "Flap" in a sentence?

Examples of "Flap" in a sentence: "there was a major flap when area residents found out that the President would be visiting"; "the stirring sight of a huge flock of geese flapping their wings".

Is "Flap" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Flap" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Flap"?

"Flap" is pronounced /ˈflap/.

What is the origin of the word "Flap"?

"Flap" comes from Middle English flappe. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Flap" meaning "a state of wildly excited activity or emotion"?

When "Flap" (noun) means a state of wildly excited activity or emotion, synonyms include agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever and feverishness.