flab
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /flˈæb/
US
- /ˈflæb/
Description
- soft flesh
- extra body fat
- loose body tissue
- lack of muscle tone
"Flab" refers to soft, loose flesh on the body, especially when there is extra fat or weak muscle tone. It is an informal, common word, and people often use it when talking about getting out of shape, gaining weight, or feeling unhappy with how firm their body looks. You might hear someone joke about "holiday flab" after weeks of rich food and little exercise. The word suggests softness and a lack of firmness rather than strength or fitness.
The word "flab" is a noun that describes soft, loose flesh, usually on a person's body. It often suggests extra fat or a loss of muscle tone, especially around areas like the stomach, arms, or waist. It is informal and often slightly negative, though people also use it in a joking or self-mocking way when talking about their own body. For example, someone might say that months without exercise left them with "a bit of flab around the middle."
In everyday English, "flab" is mainly used for appearance and fitness talk. It does not usually refer to general weakness in a broad or abstract sense. You would talk about belly flab, arm flab, or trying to lose flab after a period of overeating or inactivity. The word brings to mind softness, looseness, and a body that no longer feels firm or toned.
Examples
- 1
Body change
After a winter indoors, he noticed a bit more flab around his waist.
- 2
Fitness training
She's been doing strength training to lose the flab on the back of her arms.
- 3
Weight-loss advertising
The ad claims it can get rid of belly flab in a week, but nobody in my family believes that.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- flabnoun