Confused and nervous, in a way that shows. When you are flustered, your thoughts get tangled — you drop things, say the wrong word, forget what you were about to do. It is a small, temporary, everyday feeling, not a serious one. Something usually causes it: too many people talking, a question you did not expect, being late, being watched, being embarrassed. This is a very common spoken word and it sounds kind rather than critical; we often use it about ourselves ('sorry, I'm a bit flustered'). It is not the same as 'angry' and not as strong as 'panicked'. There is also the verb 'fluster' — 'don't let him fluster you' — and the noun phrase 'in a fluster'. A useful set phrase is 'hot and flustered', said when someone arrives rushed and red-faced.