different between flouncy vs flounce

English

Etymology

flounce +? -y

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fla?nsi/

Adjective

flouncy (comparative flouncier, superlative flounciest)

1. Gathered and pleated.

Derived terms

• flouncily
• flounciness

Related terms

• flounce

English

Etymology

Probably of North Germanic origin, from Norwegian flunsa (“hurry”), perhaps ultimately imitative. Or, perhaps formed on the pattern of pounce, bounce.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fla?ns/
• Rhymes: -a?ns

Verb

flounce (third-person singular simple present flounces, present participle flouncing, simple past and past participle flounced)

1. To move in an exaggerated, bouncy manner.
2. (archaic) To flounder; to make spastic motions.
   • a. 1677, Isaac Barrow, Of Contentment (sermon)

     To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and bruise us.

   • 1717, Joseph Addison, Metamorphoses

     With his broad fins and forky tail he laves / The rising surge, and flounces in the waves.

3. To decorate with a flounce.
4. To depart in a haughty, dramatic way that draws attention to oneself.

Translations

Noun

flounce (plural flounces)

1. (sewing) A strip of decorative material, usually pleated, attached along one edge; a ruffle.^W

   • Mind you, clothes were clothes in those days. […]  Frills, ruffles, flounces, lace, complicated seams and gores: not only did they sweep the ground and have to be held up in one hand elegantly as you walked along, but they had little capes or coats or feather boas.

2. The act of flouncing.

Derived terms

• flouncy

Translations

References

• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.