flaccid

adjective

flac·​cid ˈfla-səd How to pronounce flaccid (audio)
also
ˈflak-səd How to pronounce flaccid (audio)
1
a
: not firm or stiff
also : lacking normal or youthful firmness
flaccid muscles
b
of a plant part : deficient in turgor
2
: lacking vigor or force
flaccid leadership
flaccidity noun
flaccidly adverb

Examples of flaccid in a Sentence

Virgil Thomson, in his review of the evening, called the libretto "flaccid and spineless," but that is unfair. It is a witty piece of writing. J. D. McClatchy, New Republic, 29 Nov. 1993
Her hands are long and slim, delicate, as Dorothy's were; her handshake is flaccid, her smile is sweet but unconvincing. Richard Bausch, Esquire, August 1990
Half must have been, of course, men and women over fifty and their bodies reflected the pull of their character … many a man had a flaccid paunch … Norman Mailer, Harper's, November 1968
the flaccid stalks of celery that had been around for far too long
Recent Examples on the Web The discovery that flaccid penises are a bit like snowflakes — and need to be differentiated for realism reasons. Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024 Wen: Acute flaccid myelitis is a condition that has only recently been named, in 2014. Faye Chiu, CNN, 23 Sep. 2024 Because despite these three strong performances, The Cut can't overcome its overwrought script by Justin Bull (with a story from Mark Lane) and Sean Ellis' flaccid direction. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2024 Starmer has to create a virtuous circle in which a radical renewal of the United Kingdom’s sclerotic democracy feeds into and is in turn fed by an energetic revival of its flaccid economy. Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for flaccid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flaccid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin flaccidus, from flaccus flabby

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flaccid was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near flaccid

Cite this Entry

“Flaccid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaccid. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

flaccid

adjective
: not firm or stiff

Medical Definition

flaccid

adjective
: not firm or stiff
also : lacking normal or youthful firmness
flaccid muscles
flaccidity noun
plural flaccidities

More from Merriam-Webster on flaccid

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