unflappable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- unflappability noun
- unflappably adverb
Etymology
Origin of unflappable
Explanation
To be unflappable is to be calm and relaxed, even in a stressful situation. A confident person is usually unflappable. Some people get nervous and jittery under pressure, while others are unflappable. If you're unflappable, you stay calm, relaxed, and poised no matter what's happening. A good kindergarten teacher stays unflappable in the midst of chaos, and a successful businessperson is unflappable when faced with deadlines and unexpected problems. The earliest use of this word was in 1953, in reference to the British prime minister. At its root is flap, 20th-century British slang meaning "disturbance or tumult."
Vocabulary lists containing unflappable
The Book Thief
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Mellow Out: Synonyms for "Calm"
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"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Six
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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 former set the tone with unflappable correctness while his partner was more aggressive, and quick to punish bowling which began to err in line as the partnership grew.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Although he can be a popularly gregarious crossover performer, here he suggests a ruler of profound, unflappable dignity, rather than vulnerability.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026
Instead, it was the 49ers who kept their cool, with the unflappable quarterback Brock Purdy leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that sealed victory.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
Brioche, though, struck the balance: rich, tender and unflappable.
From Salon • Nov. 12, 2025
Anita Rees, when reached on the telephone, proved to be a true New Yorker: brisk, fast-talking, and unflappable.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
