Word
flaccid
Phoneticsflac·cid, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫækɪd/
UK/flˈæsɪd/
Definition
adj. soft and loose, with no firmness or strength. You use it for muscles, skin, or things that hang down instead of staying firm.
adj. lacking firmness, stiffness, or muscle tone; soft and limp. Often describes muscles, tissue, or objects that have lost tension or vigour.
Examples
“His injured arm feels weak and flaccid.”
“After weeks in a cast, her leg muscles look flaccid and need exercise to regain strength.”
“The sail hung flaccid in the windless heat, its canvas drooping against the mast while the crew waited for a breeze.”
Examples
simple
“His injured arm feels weak and flaccid.”
contextual
“After weeks in a cast, her leg muscles look flaccid and need exercise to regain strength.”
complex
“The sail hung flaccid in the windless heat, its canvas drooping against the mast while the crew waited for a breeze.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “flaccid” in context.
Verb
01. become flaccid
“Without exercise, his stomach muscles became flaccid and weak.”
verb + adj
02. dangle flaccid
“The puppet's arms dangled flaccid when the strings were cut.”
verb + adj
03. hang flaccid
“The flags hung flaccid from their poles in the still air.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. completely flaccid
“The sail hung completely flaccid in the windless harbour.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. flaccid flesh
“Age had turned the firm jawline into flaccid flesh.”
adj + noun
06. flaccid limb
“The nurse gently lifted the patient's flaccid limb onto the bed.”
adj + noun
07. flaccid muscle
“Physiotherapy can help strengthen flaccid muscle after injury.”
adj + noun
08. flaccid paralysis
“Polio can cause flaccid paralysis in young children.”
adj + noun
09. flaccid skin
“Rapid weight loss left folds of flaccid skin on his abdomen.”
adj + noun
10. acute flaccid paralysis
“The WHO monitors all cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children.”
11. become soft and flaccid
“Without watering, the leaves become soft and flaccid within days.”
12. hang limp and flaccid
“The sails hung limp and flaccid without a breath of wind.”
Etymology
From Latin flaccid(us).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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