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noun

flack

flak

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Flack (noun) means (informal) A publicist or press agent. Example: “The studio's flack issued a statement denying the rumors.”

noun

1

(informal) A publicist or press agent.

"Thought you were flack," she said. "I'm not flack." "All right, P.R., a reporter, a novelist."" — Patricia Cornwell, The Southern Cross (1999)

"The studio's flack issued a statement denying the rumors."

verb

1

(informal) To promote or publicize something.

"He spent the afternoon flacking for the new film."

How to use flack

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishInformal American term for a publicist, or the act of doing PR work for someone.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "flak," meaning criticism or anti-aircraft fire.

Easily confused with

flak →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: flacks
Third person singular: flacks
Past tense: flacked

Test yourself on “flack” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The studio's _____ issued a statement denying the rumors.

Etymology

Origin debated; likely an independent development from an older word meaning "to flutter or flap," though often confused with "flak."

Synonyms

fire attack blast flak pom-pom ack-ack ack-ack gun flak catcher antiaircraft flack catcher antiaircraft gun

Related words

fire shot round damn attack approach attempt shoot

Rhymes for flack

ACK jack hack back tack wack pack sack rack lack Mack Zack

See all rhymes for flack →

Frequently asked questions

What does “flack” mean?

The word “flack” means (informal) A publicist or press agent. In plain terms, informal American term for a publicist, or the act of doing PR work for someone.

How do you pronounce “flack”?

“Flack” is pronounced flak (/flæk/ in IPA).

How do you use “flack” in a sentence?

Here is “flack” used in a sentence: “The studio's flack issued a statement denying the rumors.”

What part of speech is “flack”?

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

How many meanings does “flack” have?

“Flack” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) A publicist or press agent.

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fire shot round damn attack approach attempt shoot