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flappy

flappy

2 5.4
Loose parts that move in the wind, like sleeves and ears
  • adjective
  • /ˈflæpi/
translation icon : ondulante
  • So Option A is flappy and intelligent cat door flap for your door.
  • flappy ears

Examples

  • Her dress had a flappy hem that moved playfully as she walked.

  • So you take your paper bags and you put the little flappy part towards you.

  • The gold belt goes with the gold flappy things on my shoes.

  • Then you just have these flappy things when you live in a Windy City like I do.

  • These are the jeans, a Goldie jeans that I got from my Holt Renfrew shoot that have this cool little flappy flap detail on them.

  • The flappy flags danced in the wind at the festival.

  • The dog's ears were long and flappy, flapping around as it ran.

Synonyms

floppy
vsflappy
42 3.7

Soft and hanging down loosely, not stiff

involves loose parts that move up and down rather than only limp hanging
flowy
vsflappy
  • Informal
4 3.8

Clothing that hangs loosely and moves smoothly and gracefully

is about loose parts moving up and down, not smooth continuous flow
dangly
vsflappy
2 3.9

Something that hangs loosely and can swing or move

emphasizes loose parts that move up and down, not just hanging
flapping
vsflappy
2 1.0

A repeated up-and-down movement of wings, flags, or sails

is about loose parts moving in wind rather than the action alone
loosey
vsflappy
  • Informal
1 9.7

Easy to move because it is not held firmly

specifies loose parts that flutter or move up and down, not only untied
fluttery
vsflappy
1 3.9

Moving quickly and lightly in small repeated flaps like wings or curtains

is the general quality of loose parts moving, not only quick flicks
flippy
vsflappy
1 7.7

Something that moves lightly and bounces, like a skirt that twirls

is more about loose parts moving up and down in wind rather than bounce
fluttering
vsflappy
1 3.0

A quick, light movement up and down by wings or leaves

is broader describing loose parts moving whether fast or slow
aflare
vsflappy
  • Archaic
9.9

Spreading out and waving as if blown by wind

is focused on up and down loose movement rather than spreading outward

Antonyms

473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

How Floppy

flappy
2 5.4
loose
155 1.0
stiff
127 1.7

Surface Forms

flappy positive

Morphology

flappy = flap (transparent) = flap + y

The adjective is a regular adjectival formation from 'flap' with '-y', meaning 'characterized by flapping' or 'having loose parts that flap', which is directly deducible by learners.

Etymology

The word flappy comes from the word flap, which means 'to move up and down like a bird's wing', and the ending -y means 'full of' or 'having'. So something flappy has loose parts that move and wave in the wind or when you move.