flapper
Americannoun
-
a person or thing that flaps
-
(in the 1920s) a young woman, esp one flaunting her unconventional dress and behaviour
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of flapper
Explanation
A flapper was a certain type of woman in the United States in the 1920's. Flappers were known for their unconventional style and behavior. In the United States in the 1920s, a certain kind of woman emerged: the flapper. Flappers had their own hairstyles and ways of dressing, especially bobbed hair and short skirts. They liked to listen to jazz and generally embraced freedom from social conventions. None of this was considered "ladylike" at the time: it was new and shocking. Flappers were a sign of changing times and more freedom for women to express themselves. There's no doubt the flappers had a lot of style.
Vocabulary lists containing flapper
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
American History - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
American History - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The first comic I found was by Rose O’Neill from 1896,” said Robbins, whose forthcoming book is called The Flapper Queens: Women Cartoonists of the Jazz Age.
From The Guardian • Apr. 29, 2020
Margaret Preston’s unfussy self-portrait, her housemaid with an unflinching gaze entitled Flapper and Adelaide Perry’s Woman Pilot emphasize the modern woman’s strength and independence.
From The Guardian • Jul. 10, 2013
Dangerous and Funny: She’s Still a Flapper The flapper — the tough-talking party girl with bobbed hair, a spangled headband and a shocking disdain for propriety — may be an archetype associated with the 1920s.
From New York Times • May 22, 2012
PS: it was a treat last night to look at the Flapper display with the costume collection curator…excellent touch!
From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2010
Tia and Plip Flapper, the Stormville witch, waited on the other side of the finish line, crouched down, screaming support for each of their toads.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
