flapper

noun

flap·​per ˈfla-pər 

1

a

: something used in flapping or striking

b

: one that flaps

c

: flipper sense 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

Then: French Bob Silent film actress Louise Brooks was the iconic symbol of the 20s flapper style—and the super-short sleek bob with bangs that were popular during the era, known as the French bob. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025

The party scenes are tawdry, with flappers frenetically jiggling, their underwear peeking out and soused guests making spectacles of themselves. —Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

In California and Nebraska, students threw lavish parties in flapper garb, with soda for champagne. —Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025

Buy Now 06 of 14 'The Chosen and the Beautiful' by Nghi Vo Daisy’s longtime friend and sardonic golf-playing flapper Jordan Baker is a minor character in The Great Gatsby. —Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for flapper

• capper
• clapper
• dapper
• kapur
• mapper
• napper
• rapper
• sapper
• snapper
• tapper
• trapper
• wrapper