Words / C2

FOWND-uh/ˈfaʊndə/

Founder as a verb means fail completely, or (of a ship) fill and sink: the plan foundered, the ship foundered. Found is set up (found a college). Flounder is struggle clumsily — the classic mix-up. A founder as a noun is a person who starts something. Do not write “the college foundered in 1890” if you mean it was founded.

Meaning

To fail completely, or (of a ship) to fill with water and sink.

Examples

• “The reform foundered on a lack of staff.”
• “The reform foundered on staffing, not on the principle.”
• “Swimmers flounder; ships founder; committees do both if you mix the verbs.”

Good to know

Verb: fail / sink. Mix-up: flounder (struggle); found (set up). Noun: a founder (starter). Check the sentence before you write foundered.

New