flash

1 of 4

verb

ˈflash

flashed; flashing; flashes

Synonyms of flash next

intransitive verb

: rush, dash

—used of flowing water

: to break forth in or like a sudden flame or flare

: to appear suddenly

an idea flashes into her mind

: to move with great speed

the days flash by

: to break forth or out so as to make a sudden display

: to act or speak vehemently and suddenly especially in anger

: to give off light suddenly or in transient bursts

: to glow or gleam especially with animation or passion

her eyes flashed with anger

: to change suddenly or violently into vapor

: to expose one's breasts or genitals usually suddenly and briefly in public

: to have sudden insight

—often used with on

transitive verb

archaic : splash

: to fill by a sudden inflow of water

: to cause the sudden appearance of (light)

: to cause to burst violently into flame

c(1)

: to cause (light) to reflect

(2)

: to cause (something) to reflect light

flash a mirror

(3)

: to cause (a lamp) to flash

: to convey by means of flashes of light

: to make known or cause to appear with great speed

flash a message on the screen

: to display obtrusively and ostentatiously

always flashing a roll of bills

: to expose to view usually suddenly and briefly

flashed a badge

: to cover with or form into a thin layer: such as

: to protect against rain by covering with sheet metal or a substitute

: to coat (glass) with a thin layer (as of metal or a differently colored glass)

: to subject (an exposed photographic negative or positive) to a supplementary uniform exposure to light before development in order to modify detail or tone

: to expose one's breasts or genitals usually suddenly and briefly to

flashed the audience

flash

2 of 4

noun

: a sudden burst of light

: a movement of a flag in signaling

: a sudden and often brilliant burst

a flash of wit

: a brief time

: show, display

especially : a vulgar ostentatious display

archaic : a showy ostentatious person

: one that attracts notice

especially : an outstanding athlete

: pizzazz

obsolete : thieves' slang

: something flashed: such as

: glimpse, look

: smile

: a first brief news report

: flashlight sense 1

: a quick-spreading flame or momentary intense outburst of radiant heat

f(1)

: flashlight sense 2

(2)

: a device for producing a flashlight for taking photographs

: rush sense 7a

: the rapid conversion of a liquid into vapor

flash

3 of 4

adjective

: flashy, showy

: of, relating to, or characteristic of flashy people or things

flash behavior

: of, relating to, or characteristic of persons considered social outcasts

flash language

: of sudden origin and short duration

a flash fire

: having or using a solid-state data storage technology that retains data even without a connection to a power source

flash memory

flash

4 of 4

adverb

: by very brief exposure to an intense altering agent (such as heat or cold)

flash fry

flash freeze

Did you know?

The origin of the word flash is uncertain, although it rhymes with a number of other verbs that also mean forceful, often violent movement that may come to a quick end: dash, lash, crash, slash, clash, gash, bash, splash, smash. These words turn up in English over a fairly long period of time, from dash— the only word in the group with a likely foreign source—in the 14th century, to smash in the 18th century. The element -ash has thus provided a kind of model for new words. The initial fl – that is added to -ash to make flash is also heard in words meaning quick movement, as flee, fly, flicker, and flutter.

Choose the Right Synonym for flash

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light.

flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Example Sentences

Verb Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed. Cameras flashed as the celebrities passed. A car was sitting on the side of the road with its lights flashing. A message flashed on the screen. The screen flashed a message in black letters. Her eyes flashed with anger. Noun A brilliant flash lit up the sky. The idea for the movie came to her in a flash of inspiration. They relied on gimmicks and flash to get people's attention. a show with a lot of flash but little substance Adjective flash floods in the local area See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ja Morant suspended for 2nd time after appearing to flash gun May 15, 202300:33 The weekend incident marked the second time Morant was suspended for appearing to have a gun in a video. —

Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 May 2023 In the three-minute clip, Johnson speaks to fans while flashbacks of the group on tour and the band today flash across the screen. —

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2023 Jones just flashed a big smile when asked about it. —

Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 Morant was allegedly spotted flashing a gun again on Instagram Live Saturday. —

oregonlive, 14 May 2023 Cuoco exclaims, as Matilda continues to flash an enormous toothless smile. —

Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023 Streets that had been desolate in recent days quickly teemed with people reveling in the ceasefire, waving Palestinian flags and flashing victory signs from speeding vehicles. —

Fares Akram And Isabel Debre, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2023 Again, there is a flashing red light over the valley, but today our guide is more concerned. —

Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023 The singer was photographed flashing a peace sign on her way to the Standard Hotel’s after-party and then inside the fête in the new outfit. —

Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 4 May 2023

Noun

When the whipping winter winds begin, my hair becomes brittle and dry, and with the flash changing of the elements recently, my hair simply doesn’t know what to do. —

Jacorey Moon, Men's Health, 2 May 2023 There was a flash, and the whoosh of several incoming shells sent the team diving into the mud. —

Michael Schwirtz David Guttenfelder, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2023 Wright’s upside is undeniable and the flashes on his college tape are difficult to ignore. —

Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2023 Quarterback Bailey Zappe, last year’s fourth-round pick, also had impressive flashes as a rookie. —

Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023 Friday’s weather alert comes only a week after flash flooding inundated the central part of Broward County, leaving many neighborhoods still recovering from the deluge. —

Kathy Laskowski, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2023 Rain, hail, severe winds, flash flooding, and even more tornadoes remain possible on Thursday. —

Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2023 There were flashes of dominance by both pitchers, but perhaps more impressive was their ability to escape jams … and, honestly, the ability of both lineups to adjust and make contact. —

Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Apr. 2023 Storms on Wednesday caused flash flooding in parts of northwest Alabama and knocked down a few trees and generated hail reports for other parts of north and central Alabama. —

Leigh Morgan, al, 11 May 2023

Adjective

Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood. —

Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 The preserve’s southern region is a study in the power of water, and the Lost Dog Wash Trail gives a tour of how flash floods and storm runoff have shaped the foothills of the McDowell Mountains range in the northeast Valley. —

Mare Czinar, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English flaschen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of flash was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

flash

1 of 3 verb

ˈflash

: to shine in or like a sudden flame

lightning flashed

her eyes flashed with excitement

: to send out in or as if in flashes

flash a message

: to appear or pass very suddenly

a car flashed by

: to gleam or glow in sudden bursts

: to expose to view usually briefly

flash a badge

flash

2 of 3 noun

: a sudden burst of light, flame, or heat

: a movement of a flag or light in signaling

: a sudden and brilliant burst

a flash of wit

: a brief time

: one that attracts notice

especially : an outstanding athlete

: a device for producing a brief and very bright flash of light for taking photographs

flash

3 of 3 adjective

: beginning suddenly and lasting only a short time

a flash fire

: having or using a solid-state data storage technology that retains data even without a connection to a power source

Etymology

Verb

Middle English flaschen

Word Origin

The origin of the word flash is uncertain, though it rhymes with a number of other verbs that also mean forceful, often violent movement that may come to a quick end: dash, lash, crash, slash, clash, gash, bash, splash, smash. These words turn up in English over a fairly long period of time, from dash—the only word in the group with a likely foreign source—in the 14th century to smash in the 18th century. The element -ash has thus provided a kind of model for new words. The initial fl- that is added to -ash to make flash is also heard in words meaning quick movement, as flee, fly, flicker, and flutter.