flouncing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, descriptive, occasionally humorous
Quick answer
What does “flouncing” mean?
The gerund or present participle of the verb 'flounce', meaning to move in an exaggerated, agitated, or abrupt manner, often to express anger, impatience, or defiance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The gerund or present participle of the verb 'flounce', meaning to move in an exaggerated, agitated, or abrupt manner, often to express anger, impatience, or defiance.
Also refers to a wide ornamental ruffle or strip of fabric gathered and sewn by its upper edge, often on a garment or curtain; the action of trimming something with such a flounce.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word identically. The fabric sense is more common in sewing/couture contexts.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or theatrical in both. More likely found in novels than everyday speech.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “flouncing” in a Sentence
flounce out of [place]flounce off to [place]flounce awayflounce past [person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flouncing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was flouncing about the parlour, furious at the cancelled plans.
- After the argument, he ended up flouncing off to the pub.
American English
- She spent the morning flouncing around the apartment, annoyed at her roommate.
- He delivered his final insult before flouncing out of the meeting.
adverb
British English
- N/A ('Flouncingly' is non-standard and extremely rare).
American English
- N/A ('Flouncingly' is non-standard and extremely rare).
adjective
British English
- N/A (The participial adjective is not standardly used attributively).
American English
- N/A (The participial adjective is not standardly used attributively).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or fashion history.
Everyday
Used for humorous or vivid description of someone's dramatic exit.
Technical
In fashion/textiles: a specific type of gathered fabric trim.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flouncing”
- Using it to describe graceful movement (incorrect).
- Confusing 'flouncing' with 'bouncing' (which is more neutral/playful).
- Misspelling as 'flowncing'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, as it implies childishness, pretension, or uncontrolled emotion. It can be used humorously or affectionately in some contexts.
Yes, though it's less common. e.g., 'She made a flouncing entrance, demanding everyone's attention.'
'Storming' suggests direct, powerful anger. 'Flouncing' adds a layer of exaggerated, often self-conscious or theatrical movement, sometimes with connotations of affected pride.
Etymologically, they are considered separate words that converged in spelling. The fabric term may come from an Old French word for 'piece,' while the movement may be of Scandinavian origin, related to a word meaning 'to plunge.'
The gerund or present participle of the verb 'flounce', meaning to move in an exaggerated, agitated, or abrupt manner, often to express anger, impatience, or defiance.
Flouncing is usually literary, descriptive, occasionally humorous in register.
Flouncing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaʊnsɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaʊnsɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to do something] in a flounce”
- “a fit of the flounces (humorous, rare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FLOUNDERING BOUNCE: someone so upset they flounder and bounce out of the room.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER/PRIDE IS EXAGGERATED, BOUNCING MOTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'flouncing' be LEAST appropriate?