verb
flinch
FLIHNCH
Flinch (verb) means to make a sudden, involuntary movement away from something painful, frightening, or unpleasant. Example: “He didn't even flinch when the needle went in.”
verb
1
To make a sudden, involuntary movement away from something painful, frightening, or unpleasant.
"He didn't even flinch when the needle went in."
2
To hesitate or avoid facing something difficult.
"She never flinched from telling the hard truth."
noun
1
A sudden involuntary jerk away from something.
"There was a slight flinch in his expression before he answered."
How to use flinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pull back or wince, usually from pain, fear, or an unpleasant task — or to shy away from doing something difficult.
Common pairings
flinch at the sight
without flinching
flinch from the truth
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Word forms
- Plural
- flinches
- Third person singular
- flinches
- Past tense
- flinched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He didn't even _____ when the needle went in.
Etymology
From Middle French flenchir ("to bend"), of Germanic origin.
Related words
Rhymes for flinch
See all rhymes for flinch →Frequently asked questions
What does “flinch” mean?
The word “flinch” means to make a sudden, involuntary movement away from something painful, frightening, or unpleasant. In plain terms, to pull back or wince, usually from pain, fear, or an unpleasant task — or to shy away from doing something difficult.
How do you pronounce “flinch”?
“Flinch” is pronounced FLIHNCH (/ˈflɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flinch” in a sentence?
Here is “flinch” used in a sentence: “He didn't even flinch when the needle went in.”
What part of speech is “flinch”?
Depending on how it is used, “flinch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flinch” come from?
The word “flinch” comes from Middle French. From Middle French flenchir ("to bend"), of Germanic origin.
How many meanings does “flinch” have?
“Flinch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a sudden, involuntary movement away from something painful, frightening, or unpleasant.
