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

The Vinopure Acne Serum features salicylic acid derived from wintergreen leaves and antioxidant-rich palmitoyl grapeseed extract sourced from the brand’s vineyards in the South of France, which together leave skin clearer and smoother, without tightness or flakiness. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

Your tolerance level for flakiness or vagueness can be flagged pretty quickly. —Lucy Thorpe, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025

The flakiness of the croissant-like bread roll paired with the salmon and tzatziki had my name all over it, and the first bite lived up to my expectations. —Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025

There was a moment of silence as our tasters scrutinized Wholly Wholesome’s flakiness and overall appeal. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 2