Flemish

[ flem-ish ]

/ ˈflɛm ɪʃ /

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adjective

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

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.

noun

the people of Flanders collectively; the Flemings.

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Flemish

1275–1325; Middle English <Middle Dutch Vlaemsch, equivalent to Vlaem- (see Fleming) + -sch-ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM Flemish

non-Flemish, adjective, noun

Words nearby Flemish

Flem., Flémalle, Fleming, Fleming's rules, Fleming valve, Flemish, Flemish bond, Flemish Brabant, Flemish giant, Flemish scroll, Flemming

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Flemish in a sentence

In elections last May, however, the Flemish separatists won big, which could eventually pave the way to a partitioned nation.
Europe’s Secession Panic|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The English and their Flemish allies cheered and celebrated the victory in disbelief.
The Day the Sea Ran Red: The Battle of Sluys|Dan Jones|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Shakespeare had one, as did the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, whom the Van Dyke was named after.
What Does a Goatee Say About You?|Bryan Curtis|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
In 1998, Bill Gates was meeting with Flemish Minister and President Van den Brande when he got a pie in the kisser.
The 6 Best Pie-in-the-Face Pranks|The Daily Beast Video|October 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST

On the 6th of March they met eleven Flemish ships, and they saluted each other by a discharge of cannon.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Trust Henri then for being a lout, a simple fellow who spoke only Flemish—but could hear in many tongues.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart
Undoubtedly the result is an improvement on Flemish bond, obviating as it does the use of bats in the interior of the wall.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
If the arch is in Flemish the soffit presents the same appearance as the elevation of a wall built in that bond.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
Here the race is almost unmixed, and the peasants speak nothing but Flemish to each other.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond

British Dictionary definitions for Flemish

Flemish

/ (ˈflɛmɪʃ) /

noun

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

the Flemish (functioning as plural) the Flemings collectively

adjective

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

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