When trying to improve your English, having a private tutor is great but not always necessary. It is possible to teach yourself the language, but you must be willing to put in the effort and ensure that you practice every day. Use this opportunity today to learn about the flustered definition, meaning, and usage.
Flustered is an adjective. It means “to upset or put someone into a state of agitated confusion.” When someone is in this situation, they are likely to be unsure or uneasy. Some even don’t know what to do or to say. Note that there is a slight comic behind this word when used in some sentences.
Learning a new word is a journey you must be willing to take if you want to discover the meaning, definition, different usage, spelling, and pronunciation. Knowing all these will help you understand the respective word, giving you confidence when using it. In this article, we take you through the journey of the word “flustered.”
What is the Definition of Flustered?
Flustered (adjective): A temporary state of confusion. This situation will likely happen when someone has a lot to do simultaneously. When this happens, they are likely to feel overwhelmed, which might lead to them not doing any of the tasks they wanted.
Read these example sentences to understand:
- When the phone rang, my five-year-old woke up screaming and panicking, which left my mum flustered, not knowing what to do.
- If you give Charlie too many chores in the office, he will likely get flustered and overwhelmed.
- Though the crowd was rough, the General did not get flustered.
What is the Meaning of Flustered?
Flustered (adjective): To feel nervous and confused because you have difficulty concentrating on what you are doing. This feeling could be in addition to agitation, nervousness, or befuddles.
Here are some examples sentences on that:
- The alarm sound flustered the little girl, exciting the visitors in the room.
- After last week’s incident, Winfrey felt flustered and embarrassed.
- Welcome, but do not get surprised if I look a little flustered; I am doing several things simultaneously.
Can Flustered Mean Tipsy?
Another use of the word flustered is “to get tipsy.” In this sense, you will use it to describe someone slightly intoxicated. This meaning is quite common among people who love drinking or doing any other form of drugs. However, if you have to use the word to mean tipsy, ensure the context allows you to do that. That way, people will not mistake you.
Here are examples sentences:
- I do not like it when my uncle comes home flustered.
- Each time Mark gets flustered, he turns into a violent maniac.
- I do not remember the last time I got this flustered.
Synonyms of Flustered
One of the tricks of learning many words in English fast is learning the synonyms. These are words that mean the same thing as your word at hand. If you understand the meaning of one word, you can use the others interchangeably. Learn the synonyms of the word flustered below.
- Rattled
- Ruffled
- Anxious
- Harassed
- Nervous
- Fazed
- Tense
- Uneasy
- Worried
- Restless
- Twitchy
- Afraid
- Annoyed
- Hesitant
- Spooked
Antonyms of Flustered
Another way you can improve your English vocabulary is to learn the antonyms of the new word. From this, if you want to describe the opposite of the word, you simply use the antonyms you know. Here is a list with antonyms of flustered.
- Calm
- Unruffled
- Fearless
- Intrepid
- Easy
- Assured
- Unconcerned
- Chilled
- Tranquil
- Predictable
- Stable
- Content
- Definite
- Safe
- Secure
- Clear
Rhymes of Flustered
Also, learn more about a new word by learning its rhyming words. Rhymes are known for similarity in sound, mostly at the end. It is one of the things that make learning a language beautiful. Let’s look at some words that rhyme with “flustered.”
- Bustard
- Mustard
- Custard
- Blustered
- Mustered
- Clustered
- Muttered
- Uttered
- Buttered
- Accustomed
- Disgusted
- Cluttered
- Sputtered
- Fluttered
- Disgusted
How to Use Flustered in a Sentence
“Flustered” is a common word used in various settings, depending on the message you want to pass across. Most people assume it is a negative word, but in some circumstances, it could have a touch of self deprecating humor or a positive aspect.
Alternate Forms of Flustered
These are words used repeatedly in place of “flustered.” The word form changes to accommodate the context without changing the original meaning. Here are the most frequently used word forms of flustered.
- Flusteredly (adverb)
- Flustration (noun)
- Frustration (noun)
- Flustered (noun)
FAQ about Flustered
When you learn a new word, you will likely have questions about it. We will answer some of the commonly asked questions about “flustered.” That will help clear some doubts you might have about this word.
- Is flustered a positive word? Flustered is commonly used when people talk about things that make them agitated. But there is a positive side of the word when describing someone who gets tongue-tied after a pleasant surprise. So, the word is both positive and negative; its connotation depends on how you use it.
- What is the difference between flustered and fluttered? Flustered is the state of getting baffled to a state of confusion, while fluttered is the act of winged creatures flapping their wings quickly and lightly when they fly.
- What is the difference between flustered and flattered? Flustered means to get aggravated or upset, while flattered is when something gratifying makes you feel pleased.
- Do flustered and nervousness have the same meaning? An assumption that most people make is to assume that the word flustered and nervousness are the same. However, though they both mean chaotic and aggravated, flustered is associated with more confusion or overwhelming panic, while nervousness is more of someone feeling scared or having fear.
- Is flustered and frustrated the same? Flustered is a state of confusion, panic, and overwrought with confusion, while frustrated means “feeling foiled or disappointed.”
10 Examples of Flustered in a Sentence
Learning the definition and meaning of a word should be your first step. You will also need to look at sentence examples to have a clear picture of how you can use the new word. Read the sentences below with the word “flustered” to have an idea of how to use flustered in your sentences.
- The bride was all flustered before the ceremony, but now she looks composed.
- Did you notice how Nancy, the inspector, seemed a bit flustered today?
- James, who works in customer service, was so flustered with the company’s relocation that he forgot to reply to the clients.
- I do not think I will go; I always get flustered at interviews.
- The birthday boy was all flustered with the increasing attention.
- The editor was really flustered when editing the manuscript because there were many errors and a sloppy writing structure.
- The security guard nodded at me as usual, flustered with shyness.
- If your kids do not get flustered when they make a mistake, chances are that they will make another mistake.
- My brother took me home after seeing how flustered I was at the party.
- I do not know why the news anchor looked flustered for a moment.
- The driver got fired because he looked a bit flustered under certain circumstances.
How Do You Spell Flustered?
Spell this word as “F.L.U.S.T.E.R.E.D.” In IPA phonetic alphabet, the correct spelling is “[flˈʌstəd], [flˈʌstəd], [f_l_ˈʌ_s_t_ə_d}”
Still on your journey of learning about the word “flustered,” you also need to know the correct spelling of this word. Do not assume you will perfect your English prowess if you do not take the time to learn the correct spelling. If you cannot write down a word without the help of spell-checkers, start practicing often. Fortunately, spelling is something that you can easily master if you put your effort into it.
How Do You Pronounce Flustered?
The correct pronunciation of the word “flustered” is ‘fluh.strd,” also “/ˈflʌs·tərd/” if you are using American English or “fluh.stuhd” when in British English context.
Do not just learn a new word and fail to take the time to understand how to pronounce it. In the case of “flustered,” this word has a different pronunciation in American and British English. You can decide on the accent you want to learn and stick to it or learn both pronunciations. Make sure you do not end up getting confused.
How Many Syllables Are In Flustered?
The word “flustered” has two syllables divided as “flus and tered.”
Learning the syllables of a word will help you remember it. It is also a way to understand spelling and pronunciation better.
History & Etymology of Flustered
The origin of the word “flustered” is not clear. It is believed to have a Scandinavian heritage. It is also thought to arise from the Proto-Germanic word “flaustra.” A word believed to have the “pleud or pleu” origin. Initially, people used the word to mean exciting. However, over time, the meaning changed to confuse or flurry.”
When Was Flustered First Used?
The first use was in the 15th century.
Conclusion
From the flustered definition, meaning, and usage, we can conclude that “flustered” is mainly used when describing someone in a state of agitation or confusion. In most cases, it describes people. The word is also easy to learn and comprehend as long as you practice it.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.