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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

False daisy extract helps reduce flakiness and irritation with its antimicrobial properties. —Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 May 2022

Sachajuan’s Scalp Shampoo uses a mix of lactic and salicylic acid to combat dandruff buildup, flakiness, and oil production. —Popular Science, 7 July 2020

Finding the best lip balm involves some trial and error, as many popular balms, glosses, and salves actually contain irritating agents that can exacerbate dryness, flakiness, and inflammation. —Rachael Schultz, Health, 12 Apr. 2023

Jojoba oil further minimizes dryness and reduces any flakiness or itchiness, while argan oil boosts moisture, restores shine and fortifies the follicles. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

If flakiness is really bugging you, use a sugar scrub to buff it away. —Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 23 Nov. 2021

Fungal infections, autoimmune connective tissue disease, and other causes for this scalp flakiness are much rarer. —Noël Duan, Allure, 1 Nov. 2021

Using a brush to blend in foundation can irritate the skin and cause flakiness, particularly with those who have dry skin. —Heather Roy, chicagotribune.com, 18 Mar. 2021

There's no shortage of tech startups with ambitious plans to build electric vehicles, with varying degrees of hype and flakiness. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 18 July 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 2