flapper Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Flapper as a Noun
A young girl usually between the ages of 15 and 18, especially one not "out" socially.
A young woman, especially when unconventional or without decorum or displaying daring freedom or boldness; now particularly associated with the Jazz Age of the 1920s.
One who or that which flaps.
A young game bird just able to fly, particularly a wild duck.
A flipper; a limb of a turtle, which functions as a flipper or paddle when swimming.
A flapper valve.
The hand.
Any injury that results in a loose flap of skin on the fingers, making gripping difficult.
Word Forms & Grammar
flapper (plural flappers)
Words That Rhyme With Flapper
Origin of Flapper
Origin 1: Possibly from Victorian sporting slang, meaning a young fledgling bird which attempts to fly by flapping its wings (see this sense under etymology 2 below), perhaps in particular wildfowl in August which are full-sized, tender and worthwhile quarry, but are naive and unable to fly properly due to the late development of flight feathers in ducks and geese.
Origin 2: Alternative derivations are also suggested. The word flap was slang in the 17th century for a prostitute[1] (an extension of the sexual slang meaning “vulva”), and by the late 19th century in England flapper could mean either a very young prostitute[2] or a teenage girl too old to be a child and too young to be considered 'out' in society.
Origin 3: By the early 20th century, the word was commonly understood as a description of hairstyle:[3] “A 'flapper', we may explain, is a young lady who has not yet been promoted to long frocks and the wearing of her hair 'up'.”[4]
Origin 4: From flap (verb) + -er.
Flapper at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈflæpɚ/ |
| Meaning | A young girl usually between the ages of 15 and 18, especially one not "out" socially |
| Plural | flappers |