Phrase guide

flotsam and jetsam

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The remains of a shipwreck still floating in the water.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

That which has been discharged from a ship or boat, especially on the ocean or a sea, (flotsam unintentionally and jetsam intentionally).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

People considered to be of little worth.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, uncountable

Examples

  • The flotsam and jetsam of society were at the night club.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: uszadék — remains of a shipwreck still floating in the water
  • Hungarian: hordalék — remains of a shipwreck still floating in the water
  • Polish: szczątki — remains of a shipwreck still floating in the water
  • Chinese Mandarin: 海难碎片 (hǎinàn suìpiàn) — things discharged from ships
  • Chinese Mandarin: 搁浅的垃圾 — things discharged from ships
  • Cornish: atal mor — things discharged from ships
  • French: épave — things discharged from ships
  • German: Treibgut und Strandgut — things discharged from ships
  • Hungarian: uszadék — things discharged from ships
  • Hungarian: hordalék — things discharged from ships
  • Polish: szczątki — things discharged from ships
  • Hungarian: limlom — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Hungarian: csecsebecse — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Hungarian: vicik-vacak — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Hungarian: kacat — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Polish: bambetle — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Polish: pierdółki — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Polish: drobiazgi — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Polish: bibeloty — collection of miscellaneous items or fragments of little importance
  • Hungarian: hulladék — people considered to be of little worth
  • Hungarian: söpredék — people considered to be of little worth
  • Hungarian: csőcselék — people considered to be of little worth
  • Hungarian: csajvadék — people considered to be of little worth
  • Polish: wyrzutki — people considered to be of little worth