unflappable
un-FLAP-uh-bl
/ʌnˈflæpəbl/
Having or showing marked calmness and composure in crisis or high-stress situations.
Emphasizes an innate or practiced immunity to panic or confusion during sudden chaos.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1950s British journalism to describe political figures who did not 'get into a flap' (a British colloquialism for a panic). British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was famously hailed as 'unflappable' during international crises.
Word relationships
- imperturbable: Imperturbable is the formal academic equivalent; unflappable is slightly more modern and idiomatic.
- composed: Composed means calm; unflappable stresses maintaining calm specifically during unexpected chaos.
- excitable: Easily agitated or panicked.
- flustered: Agitated and confused by unexpected events.
Commonly confused with
- unfathomable: Unfathomable means impossible to understand; unflappable means impossible to panic.
Word family
- unflappability (noun): The state of remaining calm and unbothered under stress.
- unflappably (adverb): In a calm and unflustered manner.
Collocations
- unflappable demeanor
- unflappable leader
- remain unflappable
- seemingly unflappable
Idioms & expressions
- cool as a cucumber
- keep one's cool
Example sentences
- "Even when three trauma cases arrived simultaneously, the head nurse remained completely unflappable." Emergency medicine
- "The pilot was unflappable, calmly guiding the aircraft through severe turbulence to a safe landing." Aviation
Memory hook
Birds FLAP their wings when scared; an UNFLAPPABLE person never flaps. No flapping wings when the storm hits.
When not to use
Avoid in extremely formal academic research papers where 'imperturbable' or 'equanimous' is preferred.
Fun facts
- The political cartoonists of the 1950s popularized the word by depicting Harold Macmillan wearing a cardigan in the middle of disasters.
Related words
Explore more words
imperturbable, unruffled, equanimity, composure, unnerved, unflagging
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