Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
flounder, founder — Founder means to sink, either literally (as with a ship) or figuratively (as with a project). Flounder means to flail helplessly. It too can be used literally (as with someone struggling in deep water) or figuratively (as with a nervous person … Dictionary of troublesome word
flounder — flounder, founder These two words are easily confused because their form and meanings are both close. The physical meaning of flounder is ‘to struggle in mud or while wading’ and hence ‘to stumble or move clumsily’, and from these meanings… … Modern English usage
founder — flounder, founder These two words are easily confused because their form and meanings are both close. The physical meaning of flounder is ‘to struggle in mud or while wading’ and hence ‘to stumble or move clumsily’, and from these meanings… … Modern English usage
flounder — Ⅰ. flounder [1] ► VERB 1) stagger clumsily in mud or water. 2) have trouble doing or understanding something. USAGE On the confusion of flounder and founder, see the note at FOUNDER(Cf. ↑founder) … English terms dictionary
founder — Ⅰ. founder [1] ► NOUN ▪ a person who founds an institution or settlement. Ⅱ. founder [2] ► NOUN ▪ the owner or operator of a foundry. Ⅲ. founder [3] … English terms dictionary
founder / flounder — Founder means to run aground : The boat foundered on a shoal in the storm. Flounder means to move clumsily, with difficulty or to blunder : Gladys Friday is floundering in college … Confused words
founder / flounder — Founder means to run aground : The boat foundered on a shoal in the storm. Flounder means to move clumsily, with difficulty or to blunder : Gladys Friday is floundering in college … Confused words
flounder — [[t]fla͟ʊndə(r)[/t]] flounders, floundering, floundered (The plural form for meaning 4 can be either flounder or flounders.) 1) VERB If something is floundering, it has many problems and may soon fail completely. What a pity that his career was… … English dictionary
flounder — {{11}}flounder (n.) flatfish, c.1300, from Anglo Fr. floundre, from O.N.Fr. flondre, from O.N. flydhra; related to M.L.G. vlundere, Dan. flynder; ultimately cognate with Gk. platys flat, wide, broad (see PLACE (Cf. place) (n.)). {{12}}flounder (v … Etymology dictionary
founder — founder1 noun a person who founds an institution or settlement. Derivatives foundress noun founder2 noun the owner or operator of a foundry. Origin ME: prob. from OFr. fondeur, from fondre (see found3). founder3 verb 1》 (of a ship) fill with wate … English new terms dictionary
