flabby (adj.)

1690s, regarded as a softened variant of flappy, which is recorded in the sense of "softly fleshy" from 1590s; see flap (n.). Related: Flabbily; flabbiness.

Entries linking to flabby

flap (n.)

mid-14c., flappe "a blow, slap, buffet," probably imitative of the sound of striking. Sense of "device for slapping or striking" is from early 15c. Meaning "something that hangs down" is first recorded 1520s, probably from flap (v.). Sense of "motion or noise like a bird's wing" is 1774; meaning "disturbance, noisy tumult" is 1916, British slang.

flab (n.)

"fat, flabbiness," 1951, back-formation from flabby.

Share flabby

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby">Etymology of flabby by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of flabby. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of flabby,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of flabby.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of flabby.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/flabby (accessed $(datetime)).

updated on November 18, 2014

Definitions of flabby from WordNet

flabby (adj.)

out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance;

flabby around the middle

Synonyms: soft / flaccid

Etymologies are not definitions. From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near flabby

fizzy

fjord

flab

flabbergast

flabbergasted

flabby

flaccid

flack

flag

flagellant

flagellate