flounder

The definition of a flounder is a type of flatfish.

(noun)

An example of flounder is halibut or turbot served at seafood restaurants.

Flounder is defined as to stumble or struggle to talk, make a lot of errors, or move in a clumsy way.

(verb)

An example of flounder is to have trouble speaking without hesitation or losing your train of thought.

See flounder in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to struggle awkwardly to move, as in deep mud or snow; plunge about in a stumbling manner
to speak or act in an awkward, confused manner, with hesitation and frequent mistakes

Origin: earlier flunder, ? blend of blunder + founder

noun

the act of floundering

any of two families (Bothidae and Pleuronectidae) of flatfishes, including halibut, plaice, and turbot

Origin: ME < Scand as in Swed flundra, akin to Ger flunder < IE base *plāt-, flat

See flounder in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb floun·dered, floun·der·ing, floun·ders

To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.
To move or act clumsily and in confusion. See Synonyms at blunder. See Usage Note at founder¹.

noun

The act of floundering.

Origin:

Origin: Probably alteration of founder¹

noun pl. flounder flounder or floun·ders

Any of various marine flatfishes of the families Bothidae and Pleuronectidae, which include important food fishes.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman floundre

Origin: , of Scandinavian origin; see plat- in Indo-European roots

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