flaccid

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableformalmedical

   Soft, limp and lacking firmness, often because of a lack of muscle tone or water.

   Grammar: Describes muscles, plants or skin: a flaccid lettuce leaf.

   The lettuce was flaccid after a week in the warm kitchen.

   After months in bed, his arm muscles felt flaccid.

   The balloon hung flaccid on its string the next morning.

2. 2adjectivecomparablefigurativedisapproving

   Lacking energy, force or strength, used of writing, efforts or arguments.

   Grammar: A figurative use, often before a noun: a flaccid response.

   The government's flaccid response disappointed voters.

   His flaccid argument failed to persuade the committee.

   The sequel felt flaccid compared with the thrilling first film.

Word forms

Common combinations

flaccid muscle

Doctors checked the flaccid muscle for nerve damage.

go flaccid

The sail went flaccid when the wind died.

flaccid prose

Critics called the book's flaccid prose a bore.

flaccid argument

A flaccid argument rarely wins a debate.

Synonyms and how they differ

limp

Limp is the everyday word and works for cloth or hands, while flaccid is more clinical or critical.

slack

Slack means not tight, like a rope, and does not imply weakness the way flaccid does.

feeble

Feeble suggests weakness of a person or effort, while flaccid first describes physical softness.

Opposites

Word family

flaccidity noun

The state of being limp and soft.

flaccidly adverb

In a limp way.

flaccidness noun

Another word for flaccidity.

Commonly confused: flaccid or flaxen?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “flaccid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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