flagging

¹ American  

[flag-ing] / ˈflæg ɪŋ /

adjective

1. becoming smaller or weaker; dwindling.

2. weak, fatigued, or drooping.

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flagging ² American  

[flag-ing] / ˈflæg ɪŋ /

noun

1. flagstones collectively.

2. a pavement or walk of flagstones.

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flagging British  

/ ˈflæɡɪŋ /

noun

1. flagstones or a flagged area

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• flaggingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of flagging¹

First recorded in 1535–45; flag ³ + -ing ²

Origin of flagging²

First recorded in 1615–25; flag ⁴ + -ing ¹

Explanation

If something is flagging, it's worn out or weak. A flagging political campaign is running out of steam, losing the energy it needs to be successful. If your career is flagging, it's languishing or fading — you might need to go back to school and start a new one. Flagging public support for a new school might spell the end of the project. A different kind of flagging is the sort you walk on. If your patio is made of flagging, it's paved in stones — flagstones, to be specific. The "weakened" meaning of flagging comes from an early meaning of flag, "to flap about loosely."

Example Sentences

Partly, that’s because flagging U.S. new-car sales show no imminent sign of rebounding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

There was also flagging confidence among investors in Jakarta's ability to repay its debts.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

New-car sales are flagging as sky-high prices continue to weigh on consumers whose budgets are already stretched thin.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

He warned that with the economy flagging, there was a strong likelihood that Turkey's political leaders could move towards snap elections in the coming period.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

My enthusiasm for detective work may have been flagging after these long weeks working as this child’s nanny.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• dwindling
• fading
• listless
• sagging
• slumping
• waning
• weakening