flick

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈflik 

1

: a light sharp jerky stroke or movement

a flick of the wrist

2

: a sound produced by a flick

3

: flicker entry 2 sense 1

flick

2 of 3

verb

flicked; flicking; flicks

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

flick

3 of 3

noun (2)

informal

: movie

Synonyms of flick

Verb

• dart
• flit
• flutter
• dance

Noun (2)

• movie
• film

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.

Noun (2)

we could catch a flick together next weekend

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thames cemented his status as a young star capable of commanding major studio vehicles with roles in a pair of Universal projects — the 2021 horror flick The Black Phone and 2025’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Most studio horror films don’t take anywhere near the kind of risks that this daring genre flick takes. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026

Verb

Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Paul Marie flicked a ball off the outside of his foot to Judd, who scored on a volley from the edge of the 6-yard box to give the Earthquakes a 3-0 lead in the 29th. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

imitative

Noun (2)

short for flicker entry 2

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

Phrases Containing flick

• chick flick
• flick-knife
• skin flick

Rhymes for flick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick
• pic

Kids Definition

flick

1 of 2 noun

ˈflik 

1

: a light sharp jerky stroke or movement

2

: a sound produced by a flick

3

: Flicker entry 2 sense 1

flick

2 of 2 verb

1

: to strike lightly with a quick sharp motion

flicked a speck off the table

2

: flicker entry 1 sense 1