ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fleming

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈfɫɛmɪŋ// flem·ing Archaic

n. a person who is lazy and avoids work. It is an old-fashioned word, so you will rarely hear it today.

n. a lazy person who shirks duty or work. Archaic in modern usage; largely replaced by 'slacker' or 'idler'.


SIMPLE

He is a fleming who never helps with chores.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager fired the fleming for consistently missing deadlines and avoiding team projects.

COMPLEX

In the rigid hierarchy of the old estate, the fleming was tolerated only because his family name commanded respect, though his idleness was widely mocked.

Origin

From Middle English flameng, from late Old Norse Flæmingi, from Old Norse Flǽmingr, Middle Dutch Vlaminc, Vleminc, from Old Frisian (unattested) (compare West Frisian Flaming), from Proto-Germanic flaumaz (“flowing, current (water)”) and the patronymic suffix -ingaz (“belonging to, descended from”). More at Flanders.

© 2026 English Reference