noun

flashback

FLASH-bak

noun

A scene in a story, film, or book that jumps back to an earlier point in time.

"The movie uses a flashback to explain the character's past."

A sudden, vivid memory of a past traumatic event that feels like it's happening again.

"Loud noises sometimes triggered flashbacks to his time in combat."

How to Use Flashback

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA jump back to an earlier scene in a story, or a sudden vivid memory that feels like reliving the past.

Common pairings

have a flashback trigger a flashback

flashbacked past tense, flashbacks plural, flashbacks singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The movie uses a _____ to explain the character's past.

From flash + back.