English vocabulary · C1
Flail
/fleɪl/ · n., v.
To flail is to move your arms or legs in big, fast ways with no control. Your whole body moves at once, often when you start to fall.
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Example sentences
- The swimmer flailed, reaching for the pool wall.
- His arms flailed as the bees came closer.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- flagellum — whip (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- THRASH — move with hard force (Strong Wild Movement)
- SWING — move side to side (Wide Curved Movement)
- WAVE — move back and forth (Repeated Hand Movement)
Similar words
- thrash
- swing
- wave
Lesson notes
To flail is to move your arms or legs in big, fast ways with no control. Your whole body moves at once, often when you start to fall.
Related: thrash, swing, wave. Use flail when arms or legs move very wildly.
The swimmer flailed, reaching for the pool wall. His arms flailed as the bees came closer.
From Latin. Flagellum- means whip. A whip swings with no control; arms moving that way flail.