flash

/flæʃ/

Looking for the meaning of flash? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.

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noun
01

A device that produces a short flash of light to help illuminate a scene, mostly for night-time or indoors photography.

noun
01

A sudden, short, temporary burst of light.

02

A very short amount of time.

03

A flashlight; an electric torch.

04

A sudden and brilliant burst, as of genius or wit.

05

Material left around the edge of a moulded part at the parting line of the mould.

06

(Cockney) The strips of bright cloth or buttons worn around the collars of market traders.

07

A pattern where each prop is thrown and caught only once.

08

A language, created by a minority to maintain cultural identity, that cannot be understood by the ruling class.

09

A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for colouring liquor to make it look stronger.

010

A form of military insignia.

I just got my first commando flash.

011

Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the genera Artipe, Deudorix and Rapala.

012

A tattoo flash.

013

The sudden sensation of being "high" after taking a recreational drug.

014

A newsflash.

SYNONYMS:gleamglintmolding flashmoulding flash
verb
01

To cause to shine briefly or intermittently.

He flashed the light at the water, trying to see what made the noise.

02

To blink; to shine or illuminate intermittently.

The light flashed on and off.

03

To be visible briefly.

The scenery flashed by quickly.

04

To make visible briefly.

A number will be flashed on the screen.

05

To briefly, and often unintentionally, expose one's naked body or underwear, or part of it, in public. (Contrast streak.)

Her skirt was so short that she flashed her underpants as she was getting out of her car.

06

To show or expose an "inappropriate" part of the body to someone for humorous reasons or as an act of contempt.

07

To break forth like a sudden flood of light; to show a momentary brilliance.

08

To flaunt; to display in a showy manner.

He flashed a wad of hundred-dollar bills.

09

To communicate quickly.

The news services flashed the news about the end of the war to all corners of the globe.

010

To move, or cause to move, suddenly.

Flash forward to the present day.

011

To telephone a person, only allowing the phone to ring once, in order to request a call back.

Susan flashed Jessica, and then Jessica called her back, because Susan didn't have enough credit on her phone to make the call.

012

(of liquid) To evaporate suddenly. (See flash evaporation.)

013

To climb (a route) successfully on the first attempt.

014

To write to the memory of (an updatable component such as a BIOS chip or games cartridge).

015

(glassmaking) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different colour.

016

(glassmaking) To expand (blown glass) into a disc.

017

To send by some startling or sudden means.

018

To burst out into violence.

019

To perform a flash.

020

To release the pressure from a pressurized vessel.

021

To trick up in a showy manner.

022

To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.

SYNONYMS:beepglint
adjective
01

Expensive-looking and demanding attention; stylish; showy.

02

(of a person) Having plenty of ready money.

03

(of a person) Liable to show off expensive possessions or money.

04

Occurring very rapidly, almost instantaneously.

05

Relating to thieves and vagabonds.

flash notes: counterfeit banknotes

Understanding "flash"

The word **"flash"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/flæʃ/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"flash"** in our dictionary below.

The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "flash" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "flash" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.

For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "flash" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /flæʃ/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "flash" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.

When deciding how to use "flash" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "flash" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.

Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "flash". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/flæʃ/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "flash" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

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How do I use flash in a sentence?

Refer to the usage examples above to see how "flash" can be used in academic and casual conversations.