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
The sandals offer more support than your average flip-flop thanks to an adjustable double buckle that secures your feet, plus a cushiony sole made of Birkenstock’s signature cork.
—
Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
For most of my trip, however, flip-flops were my standard footwear.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The government has flip-flopped over the funding mechanism, dragging the issue for months.
—Thomas Kutty Abraham / Bloomberg, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
House Republicans generally chose to ignore former and perhaps next president Donald Trump, whose position recently flip-flopped to opposing a TikTok ban—a likely outcome, given Beijing’s opposition to any divestment.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
While Monday's forecast appeared to flip-flop last week between cloudy and sunny skies, here's what meteorologists are saying Hoosiers can expect with today's weather.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024
While Monday's forecast appeared to flip-flop last week between cloudy and sunny skies for large swaths of the country, here's what meteorologists are saying people in Louisville can expect with today's weather.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2024
One small business owner who used to sell clothing and accessories on Amazon described a customer returning a pair of flip-flops on an order for Nike cleats.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Now, Mother Nature is doing a bit of a flip-flop, and areas typically experiencing cloud cover and inclement weather are clear, and the opposite is true for other parts of the country.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
For most of my trip, however, flip-flops were my standard footwear.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The government has flip-flopped over the funding mechanism, dragging the issue for months.
—Thomas Kutty Abraham / Bloomberg, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
House Republicans generally chose to ignore former and perhaps next president Donald Trump, whose position recently flip-flopped to opposing a TikTok ban—a likely outcome, given Beijing’s opposition to any divestment.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
While Monday's forecast appeared to flip-flop last week between cloudy and sunny skies, here's what meteorologists are saying Hoosiers can expect with today's weather.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024
While Monday's forecast appeared to flip-flop last week between cloudy and sunny skies for large swaths of the country, here's what meteorologists are saying people in Louisville can expect with today's weather.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2024
One small business owner who used to sell clothing and accessories on Amazon described a customer returning a pair of flip-flops on an order for Nike cleats.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Now, Mother Nature is doing a bit of a flip-flop, and areas typically experiencing cloud cover and inclement weather are clear, and the opposite is true for other parts of the country.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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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