1
2
: a young woman
specifically
: a young woman of the period of World War I and the following decade who showed freedom from conventions (as in conduct)
Examples of flapper in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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Wong shed her flapper costume and assumed a new air of European sophistication.
—
Mayukh Sen, The New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2023
Jackson posted a photo of Kaleb posing in a pinstripe suit and a fedora hat alongside his sister Kori, who wore a flapper costume.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
Maggy London Illusion Yoke Crepe Cocktail Dress Get the Look
Josephine Baker
A stylish twist on the flapper costume (and infinitely more wearable than bananas), channel Josephine Baker with a dramatic 1920s gown and a pearl bracelet.
—Olivia Hosken, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2023
Although in the 1920s flappers largely wore their frocks with bare legs or alluring fishnets, most women favored standard stockings.
—Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2023
This V-neck stunner brings back the charm of the flapper era, combined with a modern bodycon touch.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
The Color Purple There is an enviable red flapper look worn by Shug in Steven Spielberg’s film The Color Purple based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Oct. 2023
Their big moment comes at the end of the Apple TV+ musical comedy’s season premiere, when Cameron’s Jenny Banks, a livewire starlet with a jet-black flapper’s bob and a seductive stare, drags an unassuming wooden chair across the dimly lit stage of the Kratt Klubb.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Apr. 2023
At the time, Knowles posted a special tribute to Jenner on Instagram, along with a photo of the duo posing together in their flapper looks.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
Mayukh Sen, The New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2023
Jackson posted a photo of Kaleb posing in a pinstripe suit and a fedora hat alongside his sister Kori, who wore a flapper costume.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
Maggy London Illusion Yoke Crepe Cocktail Dress Get the Look
Josephine Baker
A stylish twist on the flapper costume (and infinitely more wearable than bananas), channel Josephine Baker with a dramatic 1920s gown and a pearl bracelet.
—Olivia Hosken, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2023
Although in the 1920s flappers largely wore their frocks with bare legs or alluring fishnets, most women favored standard stockings.
—Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2023
This V-neck stunner brings back the charm of the flapper era, combined with a modern bodycon touch.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
The Color Purple There is an enviable red flapper look worn by Shug in Steven Spielberg’s film The Color Purple based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Oct. 2023
Their big moment comes at the end of the Apple TV+ musical comedy’s season premiere, when Cameron’s Jenny Banks, a livewire starlet with a jet-black flapper’s bob and a seductive stare, drags an unassuming wooden chair across the dimly lit stage of the Kratt Klubb.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Apr. 2023
At the time, Knowles posted a special tribute to Jenner on Instagram, along with a photo of the duo posing together in their flapper looks.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flapper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near flapper
Cite this Entry
“Flapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flapper. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on flapper
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flapper
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