flakiness

1 of 2

noun (1)

flak·​i·​ness ˈflā-kē-nəs 

: the quality or state of being composed of flakes or of tending to separate into or peel in flakes

The flour (high or low protein) plays a role in the final tenderness of pastry, but it's the amount and distribution of the fat through the flour that determine the pastry's flakiness.

—Shirley Corriher

flakiness

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: lack of reliability : the tendency to behave or perform undependably

Mobile phones make it all too easy to cancel plans at the last minute, but social flakiness isn't a recipe for health and happiness—or good for our relationships.

—Anna Hart

This free utility takes a look at your hard drives and ferrets out any physical errors it finds, so you know what might be causing random crashes or system flakiness.

—Lisa Hoover

2

: peculiarity or eccentricity in thinking or behavior

Others claim [Millicent] Fenwick's eccentricity borders on flakiness. Once, during a House debate on whether federal election ballots should be bilingual, Fenwick got up and spoke in fluent Spanish—not on the issue, but on the aesthetic merits of a beautiful language.

—Gioia Diliberto

Examples of flakiness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rosemary oil—the ingredient known to promote hair growth—is key here, plus biotin, peppermint and tea tree oils which help relieve scalp irritation, reduce flakiness, and enhance hair's manageability. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024

Dryness, flakiness, and redness can be signs of unwanted guests. —Ali Finney, SELF, 15 Mar. 2024

Still, her communication and flakiness are causing tension in our relationship. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024

The unique formulation helps prevent dandruff, which is a welcome feature for anyone prone to flakiness. —Sherri Gordon, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024

Peppermint oil helps to calm and cool an itchy scalp, while also reducing flakiness. —Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024

Oils may cause scalp irritation, allergic reactions, redness, itchiness, or flakiness, especially for people with sensitive skin. To avoid potential reactions or side effects, Dean recommends doing a patch test on a small part of your skin before applying any oil for the first time. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024

For the most part, serums are used to treat the skin of the scalp, addressing issues like dryness, flakiness, and irritation. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024

That said, Union, and Flawless partner and celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims worked together to ensure the product doesn’t cause flakiness, residue, grit, or oiliness. —Essence, 6 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 2