flapper

noun

flap·​per ˈfla-pər How to pronounce flapper (audio)
1
a
: something used in flapping or striking
b
: one that flaps
c
: flipper sense 1
2
: a young woman predominantly of the 1910s and 1920s who showed freedom from conventions (as in style of dress and conduct)

Examples of flapper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cushionaire’s Missy Mary Jane Flats are a spin on a classic Mary Jane heel, a popular 1920s flapper-style dancing shoe. — Lauren Finney Harden, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Gen gets to bust out her flapper dress only to witness the most horrific, awful, potentially career-destroying failure … the caviar, oysters, and bread are all crowded onto the bread plate. — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 Customers can expect to find anything from vintage clothing and accessories from the flapper era to specialty light fixtures, unique salt-and-pepper shakers and mid-century furniture. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 The hairstyle is what immediately sells the similarity between this look and the famous Jazz Age cartoon flapper. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flapper

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flapper was circa 1570

Rhymes for flapper

See All Rhymes for flapper

Browse Nearby Words

flappable
flapper
flapping meeting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flapper. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on flapper

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flapper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All