flipped; flipping; flips
1
: to toss so as to cause to turn over in the air
flip a coin
flip a pancake
2
a
: to cause to turn and especially to turn over
flipped the car
flipping the pages of a book
b
: to move with a small quick motion
flip a switch
c
: to turn (something) on or off with a switch
flip on/off the lights
d
: to change or move through (channels, stations, etc.) quickly
flipping channels with the remote control
3
: to buy and usually renovate (real estate) so as to quickly resell at a higher price
He's flipped three houses for a substantial profit.
4
: to cause or persuade (a witness) to cooperate in prosecuting a criminal case against an associate
… wrote that the … probe seemed to have reached the stage where investigators are in the process of flipping witnesses.—
Nancy LeTourneau
Nancy LeTourneau1
: to make a twitching or flicking movement
the fish flipped and flopped on the deck
2
a
: to turn or roll from one side to the other : turn over
The crab had flipped onto its back.
The car flipped over.
b
: to do a somersault in the air : to do a flip
He flipped off the diving board.
3
a
: to change from one state, position, subject, etc., to another
The job market flipped from hot to cold.
The commercial flipped back and forth between scenes of country life and city life.
b
: to change or move through channels, pages, etc.
He sat on the couch flipping through the channels.
flip to another station
flip through the pages of a magazine
c
: to cooperate in the prosecution of a criminal case against an associate
Before sentencing, two more members defected …. And, soon after receiving his 45-year sentence in May 1989, Leonetti flipped, too.—Marguerite Del Giudice
Marguerite Del Giudice4
slang
a
: to lose one's reason or composure
She completely flipped when she heard about her son's accident.
see also flip one's lid, flip out
b
: to become very enthusiastic
1
: a mixed drink usually consisting of a sweetened spiced liquor with beaten eggs
2
: an act or instance of flipping
3
: the motion used in flipping
4
: a somersault especially in the air
5
: a holder for a collectible coin made of vinyl or cardboard with a plastic window and often having a sleeve in which to place an identifying insert
Phrases
flip the script
informal
: to achieve an outcome or adopt an approach that is opposite to or completely different from what has happened or been done previously
Now, having won three of the last nine majors, Mickelson has flipped the script on Woods.—Alan Shipnuck
Alan Shipnuck… the chance to flip the script, to go from 0-6 with a chance to finish the second half of the year 5-1, is motivating Nebraska players this week.—Steve Batterson
Steve BattersonIf you let your inner critic do all the talking, of course she's going to chip away at your self-esteem. Make a conscious choice to flip the script for the next week and see how dramatically it alters your outlook.—Petra Guglielmetti
Petra GuglielmettiExamples of flip in a Sentence
Verb
She was sitting in the waiting room, flipping the pages of a magazine.
His car flipped over on the interstate.
Noun
the flip of a coin
She turned on the lights with the flip of a switch.
Adjective
made some flip comment about the marriage between the old man and the considerably younger woman
Recent Examples on the Web
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
In a cartoon, these guys’ eyes would have flipped into dollar signs.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
In that case, a cosmic ray is thought to have caused a slight flip in the electronic voting system, incorrectly adding votes to the tally.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025
When someone accidentally steps on the back of my flip flops.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flip
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Changing light bulbs is a common household chore, especially for rooms where lights are flipped on and off frequently.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
In a cartoon, these guys’ eyes would have flipped into dollar signs.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
During a front flip, the robot must rapidly shift its weight, adjust its center of gravity and coordinate the movements of its limbs to ensure a smooth and controlled landing.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
In that case, a cosmic ray is thought to have caused a slight flip in the electronic voting system, incorrectly adding votes to the tally.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The airline also shared a fun beach image complete with flip flops and towels to inspire spring travelers to book vacations.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025
When someone accidentally steps on the back of my flip flops.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flip
Cite this Entry
“Flip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flip. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flip
1 of 3 verb
flipped; flipping
1
: to turn by tossing
flip a coin
2
: to turn over quickly
flip the pages of a magazine
3
: flick entry 2 sense 1
flip a switch
4
: to get excited or angry
you'll flip when you hear this
flip
2 of 3 noun1
: an act or instance of flipping
2
: a somersault especially in the air
flip
3 of 3 adjective
: flippant
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