variants
or less commonly flakey
flakier; flakiest
flakier; flakiest
1
2
informal
: not reliable in performance or behavior : undependable
a flaky mechanism
You'll want to make sure that all the technology tools you need to effectively and efficiently serve clients are in full working order and that you won't need to worry about wasting time and money fixing broken hardware or flaky software.—
Henry B. Chace
Henry B. Chace… digital crutches trump face-to-face talking (even phone calls), encouraging people to be flaky and evasive …—Charlotte Liberman
Charlotte LibermanExamples of flaky in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a tender but flaky crust on the pastry
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
There is nothing better on a chilly evening than creamy chicken and vegetables encased in a buttery, extra flaky crust.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, if your skin is dry and flaky, a hydration facial may rely more on steaming, masks, and humectant-rich products.
—Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
Unlike most waterproof formulas that can leave lashes feeling stiff or flaky, this one keeps them soft and lifted while delivering major volume.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaky
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Adjective
Ina skips all that by using frozen puff pastry dough, which bakes into perfectly flaky layers that soak up the buttery brown sugar and cinnamon filling.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
There is nothing better on a chilly evening than creamy chicken and vegetables encased in a buttery, extra flaky crust.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, if your skin is dry and flaky, a hydration facial may rely more on steaming, masks, and humectant-rich products.
—Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
Unlike most waterproof formulas that can leave lashes feeling stiff or flaky, this one keeps them soft and lifted while delivering major volume.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaky
Cite this Entry
“Flaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaky. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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