the flabby

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the flabby" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is soft, loose, or lacking firmness, often in reference to physical attributes or objects. Example: "After months of inactivity, I noticed that my muscles had become the flabby parts of my body."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is just the flabby middle that is being squeezed.

The Economist

"I can live with the flabby, the feeble, the scoliotic," Ms. Croce wrote.

The New York Times - Arts

"She did not want to be implicated in the flabby womany-ness of the proceedings".

The New York Times - Books

Each weekday, the flabby culprits gather in the common rooms to watch a market report on a cable channel.

The New Yorker

Gone were the flabby one-liners, the preposterous gadgets, the ubiquitous cocktails and the world-threatening schemes.

The Guardian - Film

There's a kernel of a thrillerlike story tucked alongside the flabby love triangle formed by Anna, Dan and Zaid.

The New York Times

The flabby dimwit of a manager, Bruno (the scene-stealing Russell Dykstra), wants to prod the band as well.

The New York Times

They favor a clipped, epigrammatic style of phone conversation, as opposed to the flabby, endless digressions of Americans.

The New York Times - Books

The lady in question is a large female orangutan, with the flabby figure of a retired fullback.

The New Yorker

The flabby, bounceless tennis balls in Bulgaria come from Poland, where they are manufactured to international standards and then, apparently, overcooked.

The New Yorker

With feisty, show-stopping salad leaves the heroes of our plates rather than an afterthought, we've come a long way from the flabby Seventies and Eighties.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the flabby" to describe a non-physical attribute (e.g., "the flabby pension system"), ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning of weakness or ineffectiveness.

Common error

While "the flabby" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the flabby" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun. It provides a qualitative assessment of the noun, indicating a lack of firmness, tone, or strength. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the flabby" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase, primarily employed in news and media contexts to describe a lack of firmness or strength. While its use is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain settings. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its wide-ranging application, both literally and figuratively. The aiResponseStatus from Ludwig also confirms the reliability and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the loose

Focuses on the lack of tightness or restriction.

the soft

Emphasizes the lack of firmness or hardness.

the yielding

Highlights the characteristic of giving way under pressure.

the flaccid

A more clinical term for lacking firmness; slightly more formal.

the sagging

Implies a drooping or sinking quality due to lack of support.

the droopy

Similar to sagging but often used for smaller, more localized areas.

the inelastic

Highlights lack of ability to return to original shape after being stretched.

the toneless

Emphasizes the lack of muscle tone.

the out-of-shape

Focuses on the lack of physical fitness.

the weak

Indicates a lack of physical strength or power.

FAQs

How can I use "the flabby" in a sentence?

You can use "the flabby" to describe something that lacks firmness or is out of shape, such as "the flabby muscles" or, figuratively, "the flabby economy".

What's a more formal alternative to "the flabby"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "the lax", "the flaccid", or "the yielding", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "the flabby" figuratively?

It's appropriate to use "the flabby" figuratively when describing abstract concepts that lack strength or effectiveness, such as "the flabby management" or "the flabby regulations".

What is the difference between "the flabby" and "the obese"?

"The flabby" refers to a lack of firmness or tone, while "the obese" describes a condition of being significantly overweight. While related, they emphasize different aspects of physical condition.