flick

1
[ flik ]
See synonyms for flick on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a sudden light blow or tap, as with a whip or the finger: She gave the horse a flick with her riding crop.

  2. the sound made by such a blow or tap.

  1. a light and rapid movement: a flick of the wrist.

  2. something thrown off with or as if with a jerk: a flick of mud.

verb (used with object)
  1. to strike lightly with a whip, the finger, etc.

  2. to remove with such a stroke: to flick away a crumb.

  1. to move (something) with a sudden stroke or jerk.

verb (used without object)
  1. to move with a jerk or jerks.

Origin of flick

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English flykke; imitative

Words Nearby flick

Other definitions for flick (2 of 2)

flick2
[ flik ]

nounSlang.
  1. a motion picture; movie.

Origin of flick

2
First recorded in 1925–30; shortening of flicker1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use flick in a sentence

  • Tell you what I did over in Chattanooga—in red-hot midsummer, too, said flick, in a burst of confidence.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • Im too sober, said flick, with a discouraged shake of his head, as though to convey the idea that the day had been too short.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • Im beginning to feel like the Fourth of July, said flick, who gave in completely with this last display of magnificence.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • No peace on earth, no good-will to men, said flick, seeing the idea and almost moved to tears.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • flick Wilder now began to return, talking violently and flopping about in the last stages of a nightmare.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for flick (1 of 2)

flick1

/ (flɪk) /


verb
  1. (tr) to touch with or as if with the finger or hand in a quick jerky movement

  2. (tr) to propel or remove by a quick jerky movement, usually of the fingers or hand: to flick a piece of paper at someone

  1. to move or cause to move quickly or jerkily

  2. (intr foll by through) to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly or idly

  3. to snap or click (the fingers) to produce a sharp sound

noun
  1. a tap or quick stroke with the fingers, a whip, etc

  2. the sound made by such a stroke

  1. a fleck, streak, or particle

  2. give someone the flick informal to dismiss someone from consideration

Origin of flick

1
C15: of imitative origin; compare French flicflac

British Dictionary definitions for flick (2 of 2)

flick2

/ (flɪk) /


nounslang
  1. a cinema film

  2. the flicks the cinema: what's on at the flicks tonight?

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012