flip-flop
Americannoun
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flip-flops
plural
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Informal. a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.
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a backward somersault.
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Also called flip-flop circuit. Electronics. an electronic circuit having two stable conditions, each one corresponding to one of two alternative input signals.
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any of several similar devices having two alternative states, the change of state being caused by some input signal or by some change of input.
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the sound and motion of something flapping, as a windblown shutter; a banging to and fro.
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any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper.
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a flat, backless rubber sandal, usually secured on the foot by a thong between the first two toes, as for use at a beach, swimming pool, etc.
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(in advertising) a display or presentation, usually on an easel, consisting of a series of pages hinged at the top and flipped over in sequence.
adverb
verb (used without object)
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flip-flops,
present (3rd person singular)
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flip-flopped,
past participle, past
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flip-flopping
present participle
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Informal. to make a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.
The opposition claimed that the president had flip-flopped on certain issues.
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to execute a backward somersault.
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to flap; bang to and fro.
The door flip-flopped in the high wind.
noun
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a backward handspring
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Also called: bistable. an electronic device or circuit that can assume either of two stable states by the application of a suitable pulse
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informal a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
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a repeated flapping or banging noise
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Also called (US, Canadian, Austral, and NZ): thong. a rubber-soled sandal attached to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the next toe
verb
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informal to make a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
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to move with repeated flaps
adverb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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flip-flopsimple
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flip-flopssimple
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have flip-floppedperfect
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has flip-floppedperfect
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am flip-floppingprogressive
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are flip-floppingprogressive
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is flip-floppingprogressive
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have been flip-floppingperfect progressive
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has been flip-floppingperfect progressive
Past
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flip-floppedsimple
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had flip-floppedperfect
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was flip-floppingprogressive
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were flip-floppingprogressive
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had been flip-floppingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of flip-flop
First recorded in 1655–65
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.
See Examples For:
Baidoo suggests a more supportive flip-flop, such as a FitFlop, which is sturdier and contoured - a world away from the flat and thin flip-flops that have been cut from a big sheet of foam.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
“The flip-flop developments in US-China tariffs war have added volatility to the market, further fueling trading activity.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2025
Whether you’re towering over surfers in Huge or shuffling along the beach in Low, ERL has created a flip-flop height for any occasion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025
Overall, this might look like a wild flip-flop: A popular and widely sold supplement with some science behind it just doesn’t seem to work.
From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2025
“Lace, wake up,” I said, touching her flip-flop with my shoe.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Throughout the 13-track record, she flip-flops between being vulnerable and playful while also being hedonistic and making sacrifices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
The day he landed in Southwest Florida, he headed to a beach and put on his shorts and flip-flops.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
A band of protestors in flip-flops thrash on aluminum pans, registering their anger with the blackouts, moving quickly to avoid the police.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
That one guy who lives ’round the corner who has three pet ferrets and wears flip-flops all year long.
From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2026
She sat cross-legged on a low brick wall with her flip-flops on the ground in front of her.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
But, thanks to the pandemic, demand for aircraft seats has flip-flopped dramatically of late.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
But just a few weeks ago he flip-flopped, telling New York’s City & State that he was working on a documentary and a reality TV show, and therefore uninterested in engaging in a “messy primary.”
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2024
But by Friday afternoon, Lux and Betts were on a Camelback Ranch backfield together, taking grounders together at their new flip-flopped positions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
Since the report’s release, the Portuguese hierarchy has flip-flopped over the possible – and still unresolved — issue of payment of reparations to victims.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
I stood there in my half muddy, flip-flopped feet, with my hair sticking out from under my baseball cap, and clutched her right back.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
His flip-flopping between military employment and diplomatic interruptions caused our superior military advantage to wither.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
The two neighbours have long had a volatile relationship - flip-flopping from being friends to enemies.
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
"We lost a lot of public trust because of some of the flip-flopping advice."
From Salon ● Dec. 29, 2024
As chaotic as that flip-flopping sounds, De Oliveira says she’s since found “more maturity, calm and peace.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2024
Matthias cut a comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice’s habit.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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