flotilla
noun
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Flotilla comes from the diminutive form of the Spanish noun flota, meaning "fleet." Flota derives via Old French from Old Norse floti and is related to Old English flota (meaning "ship" or "fleet"), an ancestor to English's float. Much like other words referring to groups of particular things (such as swarm), flotilla has taken on expanded usage to refer simply to a large number of something not necessarily having to do with nautical matters, often with humorous effect (e.g., "a flotilla of rather mature-looking male models" — Jed Perl, The New Republic).
Examples of flotilla in a Sentence
Sam Mednick and Renata Brito, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The mental health therapy flotilla currently afloat is not prepared to handle it and is barely keeping above water as is.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
During the Chinese naval voyage, an Australian military official told local media that the Chinese flotilla likely deployed with a nuclear-powered submarine.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
The Chinese flotilla held a war game off the east coast of Australia in late February, which prompted airlines to divert flights.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotilla
Cite this Entry
“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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flotilla
noun
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