verb
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flicker
FLIH-kuh
Flicker (verb) means to shine or burn unsteadily, with light that wavers. Example: “The candle flickered in the draft.”
verb
1
To shine or burn unsteadily, with light that wavers.
"The candle flickered in the draft."
2
To appear and disappear briefly; to flutter.
"A smile flickered across her face."
noun
1
An unsteady, wavering flash of light.
"They saw the flicker of a campfire in the distance."
2
A type of small woodpecker.
"A flicker tapped away at the old oak tree."
How to use flicker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn unsteady, brief light or motion — a candle flickers, or a feeling flickers across someone's face.
Common pairings
flicker of light
flicker of hope
flicker across someone's face
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Word forms
- Plural
- flickers
- Third person singular
- flickers
- Past tense
- flickered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The candle _____ in the draft.
Etymology
From Old English flicorian ("to flutter"), related to Old English fleogan ("to fly").
Related words
Rhymes for flicker
See all rhymes for flicker →Frequently asked questions
What does “flicker” mean?
The word “flicker” means to shine or burn unsteadily, with light that wavers. In plain terms, an unsteady, brief light or motion — a candle flickers, or a feeling flickers across someone's face.
How do you pronounce “flicker”?
“Flicker” is pronounced FLIH-kuh (/ˈflɪkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flicker” in a sentence?
Here is “flicker” used in a sentence: “The candle flickered in the draft.”
What part of speech is “flicker”?
Depending on how it is used, “flicker” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flicker” come from?
The word “flicker” comes from Old English. From Old English flicorian ("to flutter"), related to Old English fleogan ("to fly").
How many meanings does “flicker” have?
“Flicker” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shine or burn unsteadily, with light that wavers.
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