flustered
flustered
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling for "flustered": /ˈflʌstəd/ (for General American)
flus (first syllable)
/ˈ/ : primary stress on the first syllable
/f/ : voiceless labiodental fricative (similar to the "f" in "fit")
/l/ : voiced alveolar lateral approximant (similar to the "l" in "lip")
/ʌ/ : short open back rounded vowel (similar to the "u" in "but")
tered (second syllable)
/st/ : voiceless alveolar plosive followed by voiceless alveolar fricative (similar to the "st" in "stop")
ə : schwa, a mid central vowel (reduced vowel sound)
/d/ : voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" in "dog")
Word Form Variations
The word "flustered" itself doesn't have variations based on singular or plural. It functions as an adjective to describe someone who is agitated and confused.
However, here are the word forms related to "fluster":
Verb: Fluster (present tense) - This is the action of causing someone to become flustered.
Past Tense & Past Participle: Flustered (used for both) - This describes the state of being flustered.
Present Participle: Flustering - This describes the ongoing action of causing someone to become flustered.
Noun: Flusterment - This describes the feeling of being flustered. (This is a less common word)
Adverb (not common): Flusteredly - This describes the manner in which someone is acting due to being flustered (e.g., "She answered flusteredly").
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Feeling agitated, confused, and slightly flustered (often due to pressure, surprise, or embarrassment).
Synonyms: Discomposed, rattled, flummoxed, fazed, flusterous (informal)
Antonyms: Composed, calm, collected, unfazed, unflappable
Verb (less common):
Definition: To cause someone to become flustered.
Synonyms: Discomfit, disconcert, rattle, faze (informal)
Antonyms: Compose, calm, reassure
Noun (less common):
Definition: A state of feeling agitated, confused, and slightly flustered.
Synonyms: Discomposure, flusterousness (informal)
Antonyms: Composure, calmness, collectedness
Adverb (very uncommon):
Definition: In a way that shows agitation, confusion, and slight fluster.
Synonyms: Flusteredly (extremely uncommon - avoid using it in most cases)
Antonyms: Composedly, calmly, collectedly
Examples of Use
Books:
"He fumbled in his pockets, his face flustered, searching for his keys." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
Newspapers:
"The unexpected question left the politician flustered, and his answer lacked its usual clarity." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"With so many technical difficulties, the presenter became flustered and apologised to the audience." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums:
In a sitcom, a character might trip and spill their drink, becoming flustered in front of their crush. (e.g., Friends, The Office)
During a game show, a contestant might get flustered under pressure and give the wrong answer.
Public Discourse:
"I forgot my lines during the presentation, but I took a deep breath and tried not to get too flustered." (everyday conversation)
"The cashier seemed a bit flustered with the long line of customers." (observing a situation)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Flustered
While "flustered" isn't necessarily the most common word used in famous quotes, here are a few creative options that capture the essence of the word:
"A woman's curiosity is equal to the craving of small children for sugar." (Oliver Wendell Holmes) - This quote implies the woman might get flustered if her curiosity isn't satisfied. (Implied)
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves the truth from being crushed to death by sterile factuality." (Voltaire) - The speaker might be slightly flustered by the pressure to be completely accurate. (Implied)
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." (George Bernard Shaw) - The unreasonable man might get flustered by the world not conforming to his expectations. (Implied)
"Never be bullied into silence. Remember, the side that screams the loudest is the side that is the weakest." (Victor Hugo) - The target of bullying might be flustered at first but ultimately finds their voice.
"Calmness is the greatest virtue of a leader." (Gautama Buddha) - This quote implies a leader should avoid getting flustered in challenging situations. (Contrast)
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) - This quote can be seen as a way to overcome feeling flustered by taking control of your own path. (Motivational)
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." (Jimmy Johnson) - The pressure to achieve the "extraordinary" might cause someone to get flustered. (Implied)
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon) - Unexpected turns of events can leave someone feeling flustered.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) - The realisation of one's own lack of knowledge can be flustering at first but ultimately leads to growth.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu) - The vastness of a task can feel flustering, but starting small helps overcome that feeling.
Etymology
The word "final" comes from a long journey through languages! It all started with the Latin word "finis," which simply meant "end." Think of it like the "finish line" in a race.
Over time, Latin added "-alis" to the end of "finis," which kind of means "of or relating to." So, "finalis" in Latin literally meant "of the end" or "ending."
Fast forward a bit, and French borrowed this word from Latin. They shortened it slightly to "final," which kept the same meaning of "last" or "concluding."
Finally, English borrowed "final" from French in the 1300s. And that's how the word we use today came to be! So, next time you use "final," remember it's all about reaching the end or marking something as the last one.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Flustered
Final straw: This idiom means the last irritating thing that causes someone to become angry or frustrated. (e.g., The constant traffic delays were the final straw, and I ended up yelling at my GPS.)
At the end of one's rope: This idiom means someone is exhausted and can't take any more of a difficult situation. (e.g., After weeks of searching for a job, she was at the end of her rope.)
To finalize something: This means to make something final or complete it definitively. (e.g., We need to finalize the contract before we begin construction.)
In the final analysis: This phrase means when you consider everything carefully. (e.g., In the final analysis, the benefits of the project outweigh the risks.)
To breathe one's final breath: This is a more formal way of saying someone has died. (e.g., He breathed his final breath peacefully surrounded by loved ones.)
To go down to the final wire: This idiom is used in sports and means a competition is very close and undecided until the very end. (e.g., The game went down to the final wire, with the winning touchdown scored in the last seconds.)
Posts Related to Flustered
Source Information
Definition of flustered from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.