flotilla

noun

flo·​til·​la flō-ˈti-lə 

1

: a fleet of ships or boats

especially : a navy organizational unit consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships

2

: an indefinite large number

a flotilla of changes

Did you know?

Flotilla comes from the diminutive form of the Spanish noun flota, meaning "fleet." Flota derives via Old French from Old Norse floti and is related to Old English flota (meaning "ship" or "fleet"), an ancestor to English's float. Much like other words referring to groups of particular things (such as swarm), flotilla has taken on expanded usage to refer simply to a large number of something not necessarily having to do with nautical matters, often with humorous effect (e.g., "a flotilla of rather mature-looking male models" — Jed Perl, The New Republic).

Examples of flotilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearly a year ago, Israel foiled a previous flotilla from reaching Gaza. —Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

Tracking showed the flotilla boats edging along the south coast of Crete. —April 30, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Organizers have said more than 70 boats and 1,000 people from around the world would be participating, with more vessels joining the original boats as the flotilla sailed east across the Mediterranean. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Their attempt marks the second flotilla group that Israel has intercepted in the past year. —Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet, from Old French flote, from Old Norse floti; akin to Old English flota ship, fleet — more at float

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flotilla

• axilla
• gorilla
• guerilla
• guerrilla
• manilla
• mantilla
• maxilla
• mesilla
• papilla
• priscilla
• scintilla
• sensilla

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Kids Definition

flotilla

noun

flo·​til·​la flō-ˈtil-ə 

: fleet entry 1 sense 1

especially : a fleet of small ships