flounder

Noun

flesh of any of various American and European flatfish
any of various European and non-European marine flatfish
A European species of flatfish having dull brown colouring with reddish-brown blotches; fluke, European flounder (Platichthys flesus).
Any of various flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae or Bothidae.
A bootmaker's tool for crimping boot fronts.

Verb

walk with great difficulty
behave awkwardly; have difficulties
- "She is floundering in college"
To act clumsily or confused; to struggle or be flustered.
To flop around as a fish out of water.
To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.
To be in serious difficulty.

Examples

"He gave a good speech, but floundered when audience members asked questions he could not answer well."
"Robert yanked Connie's leg vigorously, causing her to flounder and eventually fall."

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English flowndre, from Anglo-Norman floundre, from Old Northern French flondre, from Old Norse flyðra, from Proto-Germanic *flunþrijǭ. Cognate with Danish flynder, German Flunder, Swedish flundra.

Synonyms

faulter, stagger

Scrabble Score: 12

flounder is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
flounder is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
flounder is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

flounder is a valid Words With Friends word