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flounder

[ floun-der ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.):
He saw the child floundering about in the water.
to struggle clumsily or helplessly:
He floundered helplessly on the first day of his new job.
Synonyms: , ,
to be in imminent danger of failure:
The negotiations floundered primarily on the question of extending regional autonomy.

flounder

[ floun-der ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural (especially collectively) flounder, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) flounders.

a European, marine flatfish, Platichthys flesus, used for food.
any of numerous similar or closely related non-European flatfishes.
any flatfish other than soles.

flounder

/ ˈ�ڱ��ʊ�Ի�ə /

verb

to struggle; to move with difficulty, as in mud
to behave awkwardly; make mistakes

noun

the act of floundering

flounder

/ ˈ�ڱ��ʊ�Ի�ə /

noun

Also calledfluke a European flatfish, Platichthys flesus having a greyish-brown body covered with prickly scales: family Pleuronectidae : an important food fish
any flatfish of the families Bothidae (turbot, etc) and Pleuronectidae (plaice, halibut, sand dab, etc)

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Usage

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of flounder¹

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps blend of flounce ¹ and founder ²

Origin of flounder²

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of flounder¹

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

Origin of flounder²

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Pollsters always go out into the country as a president reaches this milestone and the results this time show a floundering administration that's lost the support of a sizeable majority on virtually every issue.

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At 48, Miller had floundered and bumbled through a 20-year career, to the dismay of his superiors, who could not muster the will to fire him.

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The caption: “When you find out Norfolk Island exports are getting hit with a 29% tariff ... guess that’s one way to leave a fish floundering.”

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The competition is now United's main focus, despite having six matches to play in the remainder of a Premier League campaign which sees the 20-time champions of England floundering in 14th.

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A complex, emotionally charged and fiercely contested argument around gender, trans rights and women's sex-based rights has often left politicians at Westminster floundering to answer a seemingly straightforward question.

From

Related Words

flouncy floundering

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