1
: a light sharp jerky stroke or movement
a flick of the wrist
2
: a sound produced by a flick
flicked; flicking; flicks
1
a
: to move or propel with a light quick movement
flicked her hair back over her shoulder
b
: to activate, deactivate, or change by or as if by flicking a switch
flick off the radio
2
a
: to strike lightly with a quick sharp motion
flicked the horse with a whip
b
: to remove with light blows
flicked an ash off her sleeve
1
: to go or pass quickly or abruptly
flicking through some papers
2
: to direct flicks at something
flicked at the spot with his finger
Synonyms
Examples of flick in a Sentence
Verb
The snake flicked its tongue in and out.
a cow flicking its tail back and forth
She flicked her hair back over her shoulder.
The snake's tongue flicked in and out.
She flicked an ash into the ashtray.
He flicked his cigarette butt out the window.
The boys were flicking each other with towels.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Never has a trans person directed, written, or starred in a cape-and-cowl flick — much less all three.
—Abraham Josephine Riesman, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Based on the 1989 Patrick Swayze flick of the same, the Amazon Prime Video project was watched for 1.7 billion minutes during this viewing window.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
Additionally, the actress worked in dozens of indie flicks (2012's 16-Love) and TV movies (2016's Sharknado: The 4th Awakens).
—Kathleen Perricone, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024
The British actor, who’s appeared in action flicks including Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kick-Ass, has been formally offered the job as 007 and is expected to sign the contract sometime this week, The Sun first reported.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
The signature Hofmeister kink—a little flick up in the rear side glass that features on many BMW models—is done here with a reflective print rather than chrome trim.
—Jason Barlow, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024
That might be a bummer to those who adored the well-over-the-top 1989 action flick starring Patrick Swayze.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
When nobody was looking this woman would wave at my husband with just a flick of her fingers, her hand held close to her generous hip.
—Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024
Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Fuego flicks ash several times a day; Pacaya is a little further from Antigua.
—Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
In the video, Ciara flashed a beaming smile before walking up to the camera and flicking her hair.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Another common defense tactic is to shoot or flick a cloud of barbed hairs – right off their own abdomens – at their attackers.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Producing droplets, then flicking them away, would demand more energy, which would require them to eat even more xylem sap—and start the cycle all over again.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
But, Lamm says, that doesn’t mean monster flicks so much as educational content and documentaries.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 21 Feb. 2024
El Shaarawy wove his way through three defenders to set up Lukaku’s opener from the center of the area then flicked the ball to Pellegrini for the second following a cross from Lukaku.
—Andrew Dampf, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024
Seriously, is there anyone who doesn’t want to watch Kristen Stewart flicking back a greasy shag, driving an old pickup and chain-smoking in grubby tank tops?
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2024
Noun
The top portion of her hair was brushed back from her face and teased for a bit of volume at the front, then pinned at the crown, and the lower layers were styled in a cheeky, flirty little flick at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Never has a trans person directed, written, or starred in a cape-and-cowl flick — much less all three.
—Abraham Josephine Riesman, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Based on the 1989 Patrick Swayze flick of the same, the Amazon Prime Video project was watched for 1.7 billion minutes during this viewing window.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
Additionally, the actress worked in dozens of indie flicks (2012's 16-Love) and TV movies (2016's Sharknado: The 4th Awakens).
—Kathleen Perricone, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024
The British actor, who’s appeared in action flicks including Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kick-Ass, has been formally offered the job as 007 and is expected to sign the contract sometime this week, The Sun first reported.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
The signature Hofmeister kink—a little flick up in the rear side glass that features on many BMW models—is done here with a reflective print rather than chrome trim.
—Jason Barlow, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024
That might be a bummer to those who adored the well-over-the-top 1989 action flick starring Patrick Swayze.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
When nobody was looking this woman would wave at my husband with just a flick of her fingers, her hand held close to her generous hip.
—Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
The human storylines — something Godzilla flicks sometimes fail to flesh out — would be an easier sell.
—Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Fuego flicks ash several times a day; Pacaya is a little further from Antigua.
—Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
In the video, Ciara flashed a beaming smile before walking up to the camera and flicking her hair.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Another common defense tactic is to shoot or flick a cloud of barbed hairs – right off their own abdomens – at their attackers.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Producing droplets, then flicking them away, would demand more energy, which would require them to eat even more xylem sap—and start the cycle all over again.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
But, Lamm says, that doesn’t mean monster flicks so much as educational content and documentaries.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 21 Feb. 2024
El Shaarawy wove his way through three defenders to set up Lukaku’s opener from the center of the area then flicked the ball to Pellegrini for the second following a cross from Lukaku.
—Andrew Dampf, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024
Seriously, is there anyone who doesn’t want to watch Kristen Stewart flicking back a greasy shag, driving an old pickup and chain-smoking in grubby tank tops?
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (2)
1926, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of flick was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing flick
Dictionary Entries Near flick
Cite this Entry
“Flick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flick. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
flick
1 of 2 noun1
: a light sharp jerky stroke or movement
2
: a sound produced by a flick
flick
2 of 2 verb1
: to strike lightly with a quick sharp motion
flicked a speck off the table
More from Merriam-Webster on flick
Nglish: Translation of flick for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flick for Arabic Speakers
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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