flounder
1[ floun-der ]
/ ˈflaʊn dər /
verb (used without object)
to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.): He saw the child floundering about in the water.
to struggle clumsily or helplessly: He floundered helplessly on the first day of his new job.
Nearby words
flotsam and jetsam, flotus, flounce, flouncing, flouncy, flounder, flour, flour beetle, flour mill, flour mite, flour moth
Related forms
floun·der·ing·ly, adverbun·floun·der·ing, adjectiveDefinition for flounder (2 of 2)
flounder
2[ floun-der ]
/ ˈflaʊn dər /
noun, plural (especially collectively) floun·der, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) floun·ders.
a European, marine flatfish, Platichthys flesus, used for food.
any of numerous similar or closely related non-European flatfishes.
any flatfish other than soles.
Origin of flounder
21400–50; late Middle English < Anglo-French floundre < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian flundra
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for flounder
British Dictionary definitions for flounder (1 of 2)
flounder
1/ (ˈflaʊndə) /
verb (intr)
to struggle; to move with difficulty, as in mud
to behave awkwardly; make mistakes
noun
the act of floundering
Word Origin for flounder
C16: probably a blend of founder ² + blunder; perhaps influenced by flounder ²
usage
Flounder is sometimes wrongly used where founder is meant: the project foundered (not floundered) because of a lack of funds
British Dictionary definitions for flounder (2 of 2)
flounder
2/ (ˈflaʊndə) /
noun plural -der or -ders
Also called: fluke a European flatfish, Platichthys flesus having a greyish-brown body covered with prickly scales: family Pleuronectidae : an important food fish
US and Canadian any flatfish of the families Bothidae (turbot, etc) and Pleuronectidae (plaice, halibut, sand dab, etc)
Word Origin for flounder
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse flythra, Norwegian flundra
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