flam
1[ flam ]
noun
a deception or trick.
a falsehood; lie.
verb (used with or without object),flammed, flam·ming.
to deceive; delude; cheat.
Origin of flam
1First recorded in 1615–25; short for flimflam
Other definitions for flam (2 of 2)
flam2
[ flam ]
noun
a drumbeat consisting of two notes in quick succession, with the accent on the second.
Origin of flam
2First recorded in 1790–1800; imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for flam (1 of 2)
flam1
/ (flæm) mainly dialect /
noun
a falsehood, deception, or sham
nonsense; drivel
verbflams, flamming or flammed
(tr) to cheat or deceive
Origin of flam
1C16: probably short for flimflam
British Dictionary definitions for flam (2 of 2)
flam2
/ (flæm) /
noun
a drumbeat in which both sticks strike the head almost simultaneously but are heard to do so separately
Origin of flam
2C18: probably imitative of the sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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