flap

1 of 2

noun

ˈflap 

1

: a stroke with something broad : slap

2

obsolete : something broad and flat used for striking

3

: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: such as

a

: a piece on a garment that hangs free

b

: a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover

c

: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting

d

: an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)

4

: the motion of something broad and limber (such as a sail or wing)

5

: a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag see airplane illustration

6

a

: a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy, uproar

b

: something that generates an uproar

7

: a consonant (such as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth

called also tap

flap

2 of 2

verb

flapped; flapping

transitive verb

1

: to beat with or as if with a flap

2

: to toss sharply : fling

3

: to move or cause to move in flaps

intransitive verb

1

: to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind

2

a

: to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings

b

: to progress by flapping

c

: to flutter ineffectively

3

: to talk foolishly and persistently

Synonyms

Noun

• agitation
• deliriousness
• delirium
• distraction
• fever
• feverishness
• frenzy
• furor
• furore
• fury
• hysteria
• rage
• rampage
• uproar

Verb

• beat
• flail
• flop
• flutter
• whip

Examples of flap in a Sentence

Noun

She opened the tent flap and crawled outside.

the inside flap of a book's cover

a loose flap of skin

Verb

The breeze flapped the sails.

The flag flapped in the breeze.

The bird's wings were flapping.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Misty Copeland Misty Copeland wore a black sleeveless tweed midi dress with white buttons, coordinating it to her white top-handle flap bag and crisscross Chanel logo peep-toe sandals. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 18 Sep. 2024

Featuring an adjustable elastic drawstring waist and ankle cuffs, these 100 percent cotton parachute cargo pants come with two side pockets, two flap pockets on the rear, and two extra-large flap pockets on the outside of each pant leg. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2024

Verb

Arachnids are low-key in the winter because there aren’t many juicy flies and butterflies flapping about. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024

With Wave looking ready to party in a white tank, dark shades, mini Timberland boots and jeans with a colorful pattern, footage from the party found the youngster flapping his arms and banging his head along with his dad before asking for an uppie. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flappe

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flap

• in a flap
• mud flap

Kids Definition

flap

1 of 2 noun

ˈflap 

1

: slap entry 1 sense 1

2

: a broad, limber, or flat piece that hangs loose (as on a pocket or envelope)

3

: the motion or sound of a flap

4

: a movable part of an airplane wing that is attached to the trailing edge of the wing and that is used to increase lift or drag

flap

2 of 2 verb

flapped; flapping

1

: slap entry 2 sense 1a

2

: to move or cause to move with a beating motion

flapping its wings

Medical Definition

flap

noun

ˈflap 

: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting