flop

verb

ˈfläp 

flopped; flopping

intransitive verb

1

: to swing or move loosely : flap

2

: to throw or move oneself in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner

flopped into the chair

3

: to change or turn suddenly

4

: to go to bed

a place to flop at night

5

: to fail completely

The play flopped.

transitive verb

: to move or drop heavily or noisily : cause to flop

flopped the bundles down

flopper noun

Synonyms of flop

• plop

Examples of flop in a Sentence

He flopped down onto the bed.

She flopped into the chair with a sigh.

All of their attempts have flopped miserably.

The curtains were flopping around in the breeze.

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout the playoffs, his ability to draw fouls drew the ire of fans who accuse him of flopping. —Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026

Dick Fosbury flopping over the bar in the high jump. —Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

This freeloading fiend DiBenedetto had been flopping here since 2007. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026

Tomatoes flopping over or bending sideways? —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of flap entry 2

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flop

• belly flop
• flip-flop
• flop sweat

Rhymes for flop

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• fop
• hop
• knop
• lop
• mop
• op
• plop

Kids Definition

flop

1 of 2 verb

ˈfläp 

flopped; flopping

1

: to swing or bounce loosely : flap about

a hat brim flopping

2

a

: to throw oneself down in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner

flopped into the chair

b

: to throw or drop suddenly and heavily or noisily

flopped the bundles down with a thud

3

: to fail completely

the play flopped

flop

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or sound of flopping

2

: a complete failure : dud