Definition of flap
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 asa : a piece on a garment that hangs freeb : a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's coverc : a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical graftingd : 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
6a : a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy, uproarb : 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
People Are Reading
Examples of flap in a Sentence
She opened the tent flap and crawled outside.
the inside flap of a book's cover
a loose flap of skin
Origin and Etymology of flap
Middle English flappe
First Known Use: 14th century
flap
Definition of flap
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
2a : to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wingsb : to progress by flappingc : to flutter ineffectively
3 : to talk foolishly and persistently
Examples of flap in a Sentence
The breeze flapped the sails.
The flag flapped in the breeze.
The bird's wings were flapping.
14th Century
First Known Use of flap
14th century
FLAP Defined for English Language Learners
flap
playDefinition of flap for English Language Learners
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: a flat piece of material that is attached to something on one side and that can be easily moved
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: the movement or sound of something that is moving up and down or back and forth
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: a state or situation in which many people are excited or upset
flap
Definition of flap for English Language Learners
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: to move (something) up and down or back and forth
FLAP Defined for Kids
Definition of flap for Students
1 : something broad and flat or flexible that hangs loose Tape the box flaps closed.
2 : the motion or sound made by something broad and flexible (as a sail or wing) moving back and forth
3 : an upset or worried state of mind Don't get in a flap over nothing.
Definition of flap for Students
flapped
;flapping
: to move with a beating or fluttering motion Birds flapped their wings.
Medical Dictionary
flap
playMedical Definition of flap
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
Learn More about flap
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See words that rhyme with flap Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flap Spanish Central: Translation of flap Nglish: Translation of flap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flap for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flap
Seen and Heard
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