# flounder

/ˈfɫaʊndɝ/ (US) · /flˈaʊndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flounder
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to struggle or have difficulty

verb · CEFR B2

to have a lot of trouble doing something or to act in a confused way.

For teachers: to struggle or proceed clumsily; to experience great difficulty or be in a state of confusion.

- The student began to flounder when the teacher asked a very difficult question.
- Without a clear strategy, the new startup began to flounder within months of its initial product launch.

Usage: Intransitive verb; often followed by 'in' or 'through'.

### 2. to move clumsily

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to move your body in a clumsy way, like someone trying to walk through deep mud.

For teachers: to make clumsy, struggling movements, especially in water, mud, or snow.

- He was floundering in the deep snow, trying to reach the cabin door.
- The horses were floundering through the marshy ground, their hooves sinking deep into the thick black mud.

### 3. a type of fish

noun · CEFR B2

a flat fish that lives in the ocean and is often used for food.

For teachers: any of various marine flatfish, typically of the families Pleuronectidae or Bothidae, valued as food.

- We had grilled flounder and fresh vegetables for dinner at the seaside restaurant.
- Commercial fishermen in the North Atlantic often target flounder due to its high market demand and delicate flavour.

## Examples

- The chef grilled a fresh flounder for dinner.
- We caught a large flounder while fishing in the shallow waters of the bay.
- The local market specializes in sustainable seafood, offering a variety of fresh flounder caught using traditional, low-impact methods that protect the ocean floor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.