[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/flap/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [F](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/f/) / flap

# flap

verb (flap, flaps, flapped, flapping); noun (a flap, flaps)

«flap» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To flap is to move up and down or from side to side quickly, like a bird's wings or a flag in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#m1)
2. A flap is a flat piece of paper, cloth or other material fixed along one side, that covers an opening, like the flap of an envelope or a cat flap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#m2)
3. Informally, a flap is a state of worry and fuss: «Don't get in a flap». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons birds flap their wings to fly; aeroplane wings have flaps. In everyday life envelopes, pockets, tents and lift-the-flap books have flaps; a cat flap lets the cat in. Phrases: «flap its wings», «a cat flap», «lift the flap», «in a flap».

### Examples

- The bird flapped its wings and flew away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x1)
- The flag flapped in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x2)
- Lick the flap and seal the envelope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x3)
- Our cat comes in through the cat flap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x4)
- My little brother loves lift-the-flap books. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x5)
- Don't get in a flap; we have plenty of time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x6)
- The tent flap blew open in the night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x7)
- Quietly he lifted the door-flap and entered in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb with double «p»: flapped, flapping. Countable noun. «In a flap» is informal for «worried and in a hurry».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «flap» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flap/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«flap» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/flap.html) on Mova free.