Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Persistently calm, whether when facing difficulties or experiencing success; not easily upset or excited.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

un- + flap (“upset, stir, scandal, controversy”) + -able

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word unflappable.

Examples

  • The word unflappable has been used, correctly, and that puts him in contrast to the incumbent, who often seems not so much calm as insensate.

    The GOP Wins by Bruising Peggy Noonan 2011

  • The Penguins 'coach, Dan Bylsma, says the level of hatred was so lacking as his team - which only the day before he had called "unflappable" - flapped badly against the Senators, that they had better find some by tonight's Game 2 in Pittsburgh.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Roy MacGregor 2010

  • Why oh why oh why did the Yankees think it was wise to pay $82.5 million to this 34-year-old pitcher, who has proven himself so unreliable and ineffective that the mere mention of his name causes unflappable New Yorkers to seethe?

    Sympathy for A.J. Is Not Tolerated Here Jason Gay 2011

  • Senator Obama has been described as unflappable on the campaign trail.

    Harold Pollack: How can I face my parents if I say McCain is too old to be president? 2008

  • MacFarlane says twisted sense of humor comes from family, namely his "unflappable" mother

    CNN.com 2011

  • MacFarlane says twisted sense of humor comes from family, namely his "unflappable" mother

    CNN.com 2011

  • He's just very unflappable, which is something which will stand him in good stead.

    NYT > Home Page By MICHAEL D. SHEAR 2011

  • This campaign that during the bums rush period had the punditocracy cooing about "brutal efficiency" "unflappable" "on message" has since Nov 1 or so, come totally apart.

    Hillary Campaign Won't Air Ads Attacking Obama 2009

  • If he think things are this urgent, well, then "unflappable" surely won't cut it.

    "Barack Obama's temperament is famously unflappable." Ann Althouse 2009

  • I have just been reading about St. Francis de Sales who was known as 'unflappable'.

    Mood Swings 2006

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • I am not this, but would love to be!

    January 22, 2008

  • So you can be flapped?

    January 22, 2008

  • Female scribe.

    September 5, 2009