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
“It almost feels like we’re not being taken seriously as human beings with needs. Like, we’re just being taken through this crazy obstacle course where they have all these rules that flip-flop on us.”
From Los Angeles Times ● 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
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
“Sorry,” she said, not looking at the dripping kid or his mom but kicking the flip-flop ahead of her so she could stay out of my reach.
From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth
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
Wakeley describes flip-flops as one of the few definite "no" items in most offices.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The opening act of a week spent in flip-flops and sunscreen.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
He was wearing flip-flops that exposed his flat feet and hairy toes.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
But, thanks to the pandemic, demand for aircraft seats has flip-flopped dramatically of late.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 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
Maybe, but barring something drastic, Pittsburgh will head into the final seven weeks of the season with essentially the same group that has flip-flopped between electric and erratic since October.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2023
But in 2017, she flip-flopped and joined his administration as United States ambassador to the U.N.
From Slate ● Feb. 15, 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
Much like constantly changing an opening pair does little for the team's output of runs, flip-flopping on rules around behaviour does not create a winning environment.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
The experiential overhaul brings the legacy brand closer to trendy competitors that appeared on the scene while Claire’s was flip-flopping in and out of bankruptcy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
And hey — I can even forgive HBO Max for all the name flip-flopping if they’ll let me watch “Parts Unknown” without ads.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2025
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
Then I hold Boo’s hand and we follow Lou Ann’s flip-flopping shoes up the stairs, closing the gate behind us.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
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.
