Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

floundering

 - 3 dictionary results

floun⋅der

1  [floun-der]
–verb (used without object)
1. to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually fol. by about, along, on, through, etc.): He saw the child floundering about in the water.
2. to struggle clumsily or helplessly: He floundered helplessly on the first day of his new job.
Use floundering in a Sentence
Origin:
1570–80; perh. b. flounce 1 and founder 2

Related forms:
floun⋅der⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. falter, waver, muddle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To floundering
floun·der 1   (floun'dər)   
intr.v.   floun·dered, floun·der·ing, floun·ders

  1. To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.

  2. To move or act clumsily and in confusion. See Synonyms at blunder. See Usage Note at founder1.

n.  The act of floundering.

[Probably alteration of founder1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

flounder  (n.)
"flatfish," c.1304, from Anglo-Fr. floundre, from O.N.Fr. flondre, from O.N. flydhra, related to M.L.G. vlundere, cognate with Gk. platys "flat, wide, broad" (see place (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see floundering on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori