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unflappable
/ʌnˈflæpəbəl/
calm under pressure
Despite the chaos during the crisis meeting, the CEO remained unflappable.
The CEO stayed calm and composed even when everyone else was panicking.
formal
Remaining calm and composed even in difficult or stressful situations.
The flight attendant remained unflappable during the turbulence.
The flight attendant stayed calm and professional despite the bumpy flight.
Even when the project deadline was moved up, she stayed unflappable.
She didn't panic or get stressed when the deadline was suddenly earlier.
Often used to describe people in high-pressure roles (e.g., leaders, emergency responders).
Collocations
remain unflappableto stay calm and composedseemingly unflappableappearing very calm in tough situationsunflappable under pressurecalm even when stressed
Pro Tip
Use in professional contexts
Use 'unflappable' to describe someone who handles crises well, e.g., 'The manager was unflappable during the merger negotiations.'
Gold Rule
Avoid overusing
Reserve 'unflappable' for genuine situations of stress or pressure. Don't use it for everyday calmness.
Word Origin
From the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') + 'flappable' (from 'flap,' meaning to move quickly or nervously, as in 'to flap about'). First recorded in the early 20th century, originally in aviation contexts to describe pilots who didn't panic during turbulence.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to praise someone's ability to handle stress gracefully. Often appears in professional or leadership contexts.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixflappable
easily upset or nervous
rootEnglish Dictionary