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

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# flapping

verb, the -ing form of «flap» (flap, flaps, flapped, flapping); adjective (flapping); noun (flapping)

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

## Everyday

1. Flapping means moving wings or arms up and down quickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#m1)
2. Flapping means moving loosely back and forth, like a flag or a sail in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#m2)
3. Flapping (informal, British) can mean being nervous and worried, in a flap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on flight, birds fly by flapping their wings; some birds glide without flapping. In everyday life, flags, tents and washing flap in the wind. In stories it shows wind, movement or panic. Phrases: «flapping wings», «flapping in the wind», «stop flapping».

### Examples

- The bird was flapping its wings to take off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x1)
- The flag was flapping in the strong wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x2)
- The tent door kept flapping all night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x3)
- Ducks were flapping and splashing on the pond. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x4)
- Stop flapping, we'll find your keys! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x5)
- He ran around flapping his arms like a chicken. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x6)
- Hummingbirds keep flapping their wings very fast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x7)
- The tame crow stood in the door-way flapping her wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flapping/#x8)

### Note

Double «p»: flap, flapped, flapping. Noun «flap» can mean a loose cover, like an envelope flap or a cat flap. In science, a hummingbird flaps its wings many times each second; problems may ask how many flaps in a given time (multiply).

## On Mova

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