flounder

¹

[ floun-der ]

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.

   Synonyms: muddle, waver, falter

3. to be in imminent danger of failure:

   The negotiations floundered primarily on the question of extending regional autonomy.

flounder

²

[ 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.
3. any flatfish other than soles.

flounder

¹

/ ˈflaʊndə /

verb

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

noun

1. the act of floundering

flounder

²

/ ˈflaʊndə /

noun

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

Usage

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

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

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

Example Sentences

As the continent is constituted currently, you cannot have a successful Pan-Africanism economically, socially, and culturally, while its biggest nation flounders.

From Essence.com

It’s unlikely the HEROES Act will get passed as is, but you know, a floundering industry can dream.

From Eater

As Magic Leap floundered, it began to re-examine its options.

From Fortune

Starting several decades ago, four psychologists decided to examine how individuals flourish or flounder over the long run.

From Science News

A decade ago, city leaders floated a brand new City Hall complex but the idea floundered and the city, instead, began renegotiating its leases.

From Voice of San Diego

So far, proposals of “Senate flounder,” “House blowfish,” and “Hope and Change smelt” have met with little public acceptance.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, Bayou, Israel's hedge-fund group, continued to flounder and the deception only grew.

From The Daily Beast

Why did Obama's White House flounder in its initial response to the economic crisis?

From The Daily Beast

China may flounder on the soccer field, but the country is in the grip of a mad World Cup fever.

From The Daily Beast

It has a bathing beach where the gals show what they've got and fat men flounder and cavort far beyond their capacities.

From Project Gutenberg

Men crawled over one another, then dropped to the first open spot, to flounder there a moment, then roar in snoring sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who followed were compelled to flounder on the best way they could.

From Project Gutenberg

And they can go where horses couldn't do anything but flounder and probably cut themselves with their own feet.

From Project Gutenberg

She was most aptly named; indeed, I think the Flounder would have been a still more appropriate designation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flop
• stumble
• wallow