What does "flummery" mean?
A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour.
Flummery
/ˈflʌməɹi/ intj, noun
intj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour.
- Grammar: flummery is listed as intj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absurdity, amphigory, babble, babblement.
- Usage evidence: 1940, Rex Stout, Over My Dead Body "Pfui! This is flummery!"
How to use "flummery"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "flummery" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "flummery" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "flummery" is acting as intj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour. countable, uncountable
- 2 meaningless ceremonies and flattery wordnet
- 3 A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour.; A slightly tart, jelly-like food of Welsh origin, made from extensively boiling oats, then boiling down the liquid extracted from it. countable, historical, specifically, uncountable
- 4 a bland custard or pudding especially of oatmeal wordnet
- 5 Empty or meaningless talk, especially when used to flatter. countable, uncountable
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Pretentious trappings, useless ornaments used to impress. countable, uncountable
- 7 Deceptive or blustering speech. countable, uncountable
"1940, Rex Stout, Over My Dead Body "Pfui! This is flummery!""
Intj
- 1 An expression of contemptuous disbelief.
Example
"1940, Rex Stout, Over My Dead Body "Pfui! This is flummery!""
Common questions
What is a synonym for "flummery"?
Common synonyms include: absurdity, amphigory, babble, babblement, balderdash, bibble-babble.
How do you use "flummery" in a sentence?
1940, Rex Stout, Over My Dead Body "Pfui! This is flummery!"
How do you pronounce "flummery"?
Pronounced /ˈflʌməɹi/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Welsh llymru (“a sour jelly derived from boiled oatmeal”), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to llymrig (“slippery”). For phonetic development, compare origin of Floyd.