Flemish

American  

[flem-ish] / ˈflɛm ɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or relating to Flanders, its people, or their language.

2. pertaining to or designating the style of art, especially painting, as developed principally in Flanders and northern France during the 15th century, chiefly characterized by sharply delineated forms, naturalistic proportions, clear, usually cool colors, and the use of perspective.

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noun

1. the people of Flanders collectively; the Flemings.

2. the Dutch language as spoken in northern Belgium: one of the official languages of Belgium. Flem., Flem

Flemish British  

/ ˈflɛmɪʃ /

noun

1. one of the two official languages of Belgium, almost identical in form with Dutch

2. (functioning as plural) the Flemings collectively

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Flanders, the Flemings, or their language

Other Word Forms

• non-Flemish
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Flemish

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle Dutch Vlaemsch, equivalent to Vlaem- ( see Fleming) + -sch -ish ¹

Example Sentences

One of several similar images, it illustrates an old Flemish proverb that can be politely translated as “Whoever holds a sack of gold will always have flatterers.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The Mercator was first introduced in 1569 by a Flemish geographer, and by the 1700s, it had become the default map.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

It also announced an expanded partnership with VITO, a Flemish research institute, to deliver solutions for agriculture and environmental monitoring.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

An Exeter University art historian has solved the 70-year mystery over the theft of an original oil sketch, by Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, from a stately home in Northamptonshire.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2025

He thinks more painters will start using it again, just as the old German, Italian, and Flemish painters had.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman