flake

12 synonyms for flake, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

bit chip

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

peel scrap geek eccentric

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fleck oddball snowflake peel off flake off eccentric person

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.

“A flake of paint peeled off the old fence.”

bit chip peel scrap geek eccentric fleck oddball snowflake peel off flake off eccentric person

2. verb

To back out of plans or fail to follow through on a commitment.

“She flaked on dinner again last night.”

peel

How to use flake

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

flake off flake on someone a flake of paint

The "unreliable person" sense of flake and the verb "to flake (on someone)" are informal/slang.

Etymology

From Old English/Old Norse roots meaning a loose or torn-off piece, ultimately from a very old word for something flat; the "unreliable person" sense is a modern slang extension.

Full origin of flake →

Frequently asked questions

What does “flake” mean?

The word “flake” means a small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger. In plain terms, a small chip or piece breaking off something, or (informally) someone who bails on plans.

How do you pronounce “flake”?

“Flake” is pronounced flayk (/fleɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “flake” in a sentence?

Here is “flake” used in a sentence: “A flake of paint peeled off the old fence.”

What part of speech is “flake”?

Depending on how it is used, “flake” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “flake” come from?

The word “flake” comes from Old English. From Old English/Old Norse roots meaning a loose or torn-off piece, ultimately from a very old word for something flat; the "unreliable person" sense is a modern slang extension.

Is “flake” a common word?

“Flake” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “flake” have?

“Flake” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.

People also searched

bit chip peel scrap geek eccentric oddball snowflake fleck

Nearby words

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