noun
Uncommon
flake
flayk
Flake (noun) means a small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger. Example: “A flake of paint peeled off the old fence.”
noun
1
A small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.
"A flake of paint peeled off the old fence."
"Snowflakes drifted past the window."
2
An unreliable person who often cancels plans or fails to follow through.
"He's such a flake — he's cancelled on us three times this month."
verb
1
To back out of plans or fail to follow through on a commitment.
"She flaked on dinner again last night."
2
To break off in small thin pieces.
"The old paint began to flake off the wall."
How to use flake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small chip or piece breaking off something, or (informally) someone who bails on plans.
When to use it
The "unreliable person" sense of flake and the verb "to flake (on someone)" are informal/slang.
Common pairings
flake off
flake on someone
a flake of paint
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Word forms
- Plural
- flakes
- Third person singular
- flakes
- Past tense
- flaked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of paint peeled off the old fence.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for flake
See all rhymes for 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.
