flash

flash

noun

Definition of FLASH

1

a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity <a flash of last-minute trips to the video store before the onset of the big snowstorm>

Synonyms burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outburst, spurt

Related Words recrudescence, recurrence, renewal; binge, jag, spree; boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn; epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm; deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley; commotion, furor, uproar

Near Antonyms calm, doldrums, slump

2

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling <a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture>

Synonyms agony, blaze, burst, ebullition, eruption, explosion, fit, flare, flare-up, flash, flush, gale, gush, gust, paroxysm, spasm, storm

Related Words blowup, grouch, rage, tantrum; ecstasy, rapture, transport; delirium, firestorm, frenzy, furor

3

a very small space of time <the shower will be over in a flash>

Synonyms beat, eyeblink, flash, heartbeat, jiff, jiffy, minute, moment, nanosecond, New York minute, second, shake, split second, trice, twinkle, twinkling, wink

Related Words microsecond; snatch, spurt

Near Antonyms aeon (or eon), age, eternity, forever; infinity, lifetime

4

something extraordinary or surprising <the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown>

Synonyms caution, flash, marvel, miracle, phenomenon, portent, prodigy, sensation, splendor

Related Words curiosity, sight, spectacle; beauty, corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, knockout; apparition, appearance

5

excessive or unnecessary display <the expensive clothes, the luxury cars, and other apparent signs of success are all flash that belie the fact that the family is up to its ears in debt>

Synonyms flamboyance, flash, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, ostentatiousness, pretentiousness, showiness, swank

Related Words pretense (or pretence); éclat, extravaganza, mummery, pageant, parade, show; dazzle, fanfare, foofaraw, pageantry, pomp, razzle-dazzle, razzmatazz, spectacle; adornment, decoration, dressing, embellishment, garnishment, ornamentation, trimming; extravagance, fanciness, luxuriance, luxuriousness, magnificence, opulence, richness, sumptuousness; luridness; meretriciousness, tawdriness, vulgarity

Near Antonyms conservativeness, moderation, modesty, restraint, simplicity, understatement; elegance, gracefulness, tastefulness; minimalism

Antonyms austerity, plainness, severity