flounder

1
[ floun-der ]
See synonyms for: flounderflounderedfloundering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed 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.

  1. to be in imminent danger of failure: The negotiations floundered primarily on the question of extending regional autonomy.

Origin of flounder

1
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps blend of flounce1 and founder2

Other words for flounder

Words Nearby flounder

Other definitions for flounder (2 of 2)

flounder2
[ floun-der ]

noun,plural (especially collectively) floun·der, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) floun·ders.
  1. a European, marine flatfish, Platichthys flesus, used for food.

  2. any of numerous similar or closely related non-European flatfishes.

  1. any flatfish other than soles.

Origin of flounder

2
1400–50; late Middle English <Anglo-French floundre<Scandinavian; compare Norwegian flundra

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flounder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flounder (1 of 2)

flounder1

/ (ˈflaʊndə) /


verb(intr)
  1. to struggle; to move with difficulty, as in mud

  2. to behave awkwardly; make mistakes

noun
  1. the act of floundering

Origin of flounder

1
C16: probably a blend of founder ² + blunder; perhaps influenced by flounder ²

usage For flounder

Flounder is sometimes wrongly used where founder is meant: the project foundered (not floundered) because of a lack of funds

British Dictionary definitions for flounder (2 of 2)

flounder2

/ (ˈflaʊndə) /


nounplural -der or -ders
  1. Also called: fluke a European flatfish, Platichthys flesus having a greyish-brown body covered with prickly scales: family Pleuronectidae : an important food fish

  2. US and Canadian any flatfish of the families Bothidae (turbot, etc) and Pleuronectidae (plaice, halibut, sand dab, etc)

Origin of flounder

2
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse flythra, Norwegian flundra

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