flick

[ flik ]

/ flɪk /

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See synonyms for: flick / flicked / flicks on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sudden light blow or tap, as with a whip or the finger: She gave the horse a flick with her riding crop.

the sound made by such a blow or tap.

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

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

verb (used with object)

to strike lightly with a whip, the finger, etc.

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

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

verb (used without object)

to move with a jerk or jerks.

to flutter; flicker.

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Origin of flick

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

Words nearby flick

flibbert, flibbertigibbet, flic, flicflac, flichter, flick, flicker, flickertail, Flickertail State, flick-knife, flick-pass

Other definitions for flick (2 of 2)

flick²

[ flik ]

/ flɪk /

noun Slang.

a motion picture; movie.

Also flicker .

Origin of flick

First recorded in 1925–30; shortening of flicker¹

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

MORE ABOUT FLICK

What does flick mean?

A flick is a light, rapid movement, as in With a flick of her wrist, the magician made the card disappear.

A flick is also a sudden tap or light blow, as with a whip or a finger.

To flick is to make such a motion.

Flick is also a slang term for movie or film.

Example: Flick that spider off the table, Tony.

Where does flick come from?

The first records of the term flick come from around 1400. It comes from the Middle English flykke, which is meant to imitate the sound a flick might make. The first records of the slang flick come from around 1925. It comes from shortening the term flicker, meaning to shine unsteadily.

A flick can be given by whipping a device or quickly moving a part of the body. The most common use describes a rapid movement of the fingers to propel small objects or slightly hurt someone. It can also describe a simple movement made in a jerky manner.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for flick?

What are some words that often get used in discussing flick?

How is flick used in real life?

Flick is commonly used to refer to the motion. As a term for “movie,” flick is used in casual conversations.

I just wanna understand why people choose not to use their turning signals. All you do is flick a lever.

— Norm Kelly (@norm) November 28, 2017

Make sure to watch the @mtv premiere of our movie #NeverSayNever this Sunday at 8. @jonmchu makes a good flick

— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 31, 2013

*flicks a skittle at cute boy*

hey

pay attention to me

— 🔴Live ttv/tytyoakley | (@tyleroakley) April 5, 2014

Try using flick!

Is flick used properly in the following sentence?

Give the switch a flick to see if the power comes on.

How to use flick in a sentence

She plans to hold movie nights, where they’ll gather in the living room to catch a flick.
‘We are struggling’: Unemployed Americans face a bleak Christmas|Lee Clifford|December 24, 2020|Fortune
His latest film, Bad Hair, is a horror flick about a bloodsucking weave that has political relevance you may not expect.
25 Rising Stars to Track in 2021|Daniel Malloy|December 20, 2020|Ozy
It allowed content creators to shoot their footage with two distinct looks, which viewers could seamlessly switch with the flick of a wrist.
The 100 greatest innovations of 2020|Popular Science Staff|December 2, 2020|Popular-Science
If you’re looking to eventually control your entire house with a flick of the wrist, you’ll be looking for completely different functionality.
Best smartwatch: Five things to consider|Eric Alt|November 28, 2020|Popular-Science

The ongoing earthly presence of the enormous shark persists in our collective imagination thanks to rumors, legends, and summer B flicks.
Could an ancient megashark still lurk in the deep seas?|By Riley Black|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Craig is signed on for just one more Bond flick after Spectre.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Reveal Studio Head Wants Idris Elba For the Next James Bond|William Boot|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And who better to do that with than the actress who is playing the object of said (alleged) lesbian affection in the flick?
Inside the Lifetime Whitney Houston Movie’s Lesbian Lover Storyline|Kevin Fallon|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the little-known stories behind the making of the film are almost as fascinating as the flick itself.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You and Nic Cage are basically having a contest in that flick of who can go further.
John Travolta Doesn’t Regret a Thing|Marlow Stern|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Franco optioned the tome back in March 2011, and will star and direct the flick.
James Franco Shot His New Movie at the Venice Film Festival and I Was in It|Marlow Stern|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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

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

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

to move or cause to move quickly or jerkily

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

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

noun

a tap or quick stroke with the fingers, a whip, etc

the sound made by such a stroke

a fleck, streak, or particle

give someone the flick informal to dismiss someone from consideration

Word Origin for flick

C15: of imitative origin; compare French flicflac

British Dictionary definitions for flick (2 of 2)

flick²

/ (flɪk) /

noun slang

a cinema film

the flicks the cinemawhat'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

flick

Origin of flick

Words nearby flick

Other definitions for flick (2 of 2)

Origin of flick

MORE ABOUT FLICK

What does flick mean?

Where does flick come from?

Did you know … ?

How is flick used in real life?

Try using flick!

Words related to flick

How to use flick in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flick (1 of 2)

Word Origin for flick

British Dictionary definitions for flick (2 of 2)