flibbertigibbet
Use in a sentence
ər noun
1.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
2.
Archaic. a gossip.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English flepergebet, flipergebet; reduplicative compound of obscure origin
1425–75; late Middle English flepergebet, flipergebet; reduplicative compound of obscure origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To flibbertigibbet
Collins
World English Dictionary
flibbertigibbet (ˈflɪbətɪˌdʒɪbɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| an irresponsible, silly, or gossipy person | |
| [C15: of uncertain origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Flibbertigibbet
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
flibbertigibbet
1540s, "chattering gossip, flighty woman," probably a nonsense word meant to sound like fast talking; as the name of a devil or fiend it dates from c.1600.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
She enjoyed her new life of luxury while it lasted, but she was no flibbertigibbet.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
