flip-flop
noun
1
: the sound or motion of something flapping loosely
2
a
: a backward handspring
b
: a sudden reversal (as of policy or strategy)
3
: a usually electronic device or a circuit (as in a computer) capable of assuming either of two stable states
4
: a rubber sandal loosely fastened to the foot by a thong
flip-flop
intransitive verb
Synonyms
Examples of flip-flop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Skinny youngsters in jean shorts and flip-flops appear from decrepit walls and rooftops strapped with AR-15s, M4s, and M-16s.
—
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Otherwise temperatures continue to flip-flop from cooler today to near-record warmth tomorrow, then cooler again Friday through the weekend, with decent sunshine other than perhaps Friday.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
Advertisement On the other side of the Atlantic, near Gambia, a worker from Senegal on a Chinese trawler called the Victory 205 said he had been pricked by a catfish barb while wearing flip-flops.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
But for now, the Miami MC is lounging around, shooting pool in a white T-shirt, colorful shorts, and black flip-flops, while puffing on blunt after blunt, as this reporter dances around him asking questions.
—Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2023
These two steps of translation entail both Boolean logic and timing control through flip-flops.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023
Drugs and sleep deprivation are the accelerants here, exacerbating Reg and Holly’s flip-flops of affection while undoing the couples who at first seem properly glued.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Companies such as Meta, Amazon, and others that flip-flopped on their commitment to flexible work policies failed to provide effective training for their managers on hybrid and remote management.
—Bygleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, the single-toe band signals the continued rise of the flip-flop trend that's reigning at the moment.
—Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2023
See More
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Otherwise temperatures continue to flip-flop from cooler today to near-record warmth tomorrow, then cooler again Friday through the weekend, with decent sunshine other than perhaps Friday.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
Advertisement On the other side of the Atlantic, near Gambia, a worker from Senegal on a Chinese trawler called the Victory 205 said he had been pricked by a catfish barb while wearing flip-flops.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
But for now, the Miami MC is lounging around, shooting pool in a white T-shirt, colorful shorts, and black flip-flops, while puffing on blunt after blunt, as this reporter dances around him asking questions.
—Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2023
These two steps of translation entail both Boolean logic and timing control through flip-flops.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023
Drugs and sleep deprivation are the accelerants here, exacerbating Reg and Holly’s flip-flops of affection while undoing the couples who at first seem properly glued.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Companies such as Meta, Amazon, and others that flip-flopped on their commitment to flexible work policies failed to provide effective training for their managers on hybrid and remote management.
—Bygleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, the single-toe band signals the continued rise of the flip-flop trend that's reigning at the moment.
—Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flip-flop.' 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
1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near flip-flop
Cite this Entry
“Flip-flop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flip-flop. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on flip-flop
Nglish: Translation of flip-flop for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flip-flop
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