flick
1 Americannoun
-
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)
-
flicks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
flicked,
past participle, past
-
flicking
present participle
-
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.
noun
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 hand
to flick a piece of paper at someone
-
to move or cause to move quickly or jerkily
-
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
-
informal to dismiss someone from consideration
noun
-
a cinema film
-
the cinema
what's on at the flicks tonight?
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
flicksimple
-
flickssimple
-
have flickedperfect
-
has flickedperfect
-
am flickingprogressive
-
are flickingprogressive
-
is flickingprogressive
-
have been flickingperfect progressive
-
has been flickingperfect progressive
Past
-
flickedsimple
-
had flickedperfect
-
was flickingprogressive
-
were flickingprogressive
-
had been flickingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of flick1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English flykke; imitative
Origin of flick2
First recorded in 1925–30; shortening of flicker 1
Explanation
A flick is a quick, short movement, usually coming from the wrist or hand. There used to be a "Flick a Bic" cigarette ad: cigarettes are awful, but starting a lighter is a classic flick. The most common flick is probably turning a switch on or off — people flick switches, like light switches. Flicking is also used when describing golfers and basketball players. A fast, sharp golf shot could be called a flick. A quick basketball shot — like tipping the ball in with one second left in the game — is also a flick. A flick can also be described as a quick jerk — not a jerk as in a bad person, but a tiny movement. If you're using your whole body or even your whole arm, you're not flicking.
Vocabulary lists containing flick
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He started working with a renowned quarterback guru, Jeff Christensen, who marveled at his new pupil’s obsessive work ethic as he perfected the twist of his torso and flick of his wrist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
It also adapted Justin Simien’s indie flick “Dear White People” into an in-your-face comedy revolving around the Black experience at an Ivy League college.
From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026
Third place went to the much-delayed, mixed animation-and-live action Looney Tunes flick "Coyote vs. Acme," with revenue of $11.3 million as it slipped from second place in its second week.
From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026
Mathys Tel: Early clever flick hinted at a threat, but was then anonymous.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Though I barely move, my eyes flick everywhere.
From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads
The film is directed by David Ayer, a purveyor of wild action flicks and ballads of masculinity; the screenplay is the debut effort of Cameron Alexander.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
Selected by a special panel of filmmakers and critics, the films on this list span over 100 years of cinema and include comedies, horror flicks, dramas, documentaries, and beyond.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026
That includes “Reacher,” the Prime Video thriller that’s basically a string of run-and-gun flicks passed off as episodic TV.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
From shoulder shimmies and frat flicks to somersaults and knee slides, the Flemings and Schifferles left it all on the dance floor to prove the prowess of their family name.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
With Midnight still bowing, she lifts both whips and flicks them.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
The big question was: Had Croatia's Igor Matanovic flicked the ball on in the build-up?
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
Up against a Paraguayan squad known for its stingy defense, Pulisic was double-teamed on the left side when he flicked the ball ahead and raced past them into the box.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
The rear flicked sideways as he went over the crest at the start of the braking point, and as he corrected, the car fishtailed, sending the front towards the barriers.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
More often, it’s a shower of lemon zest or a handful of toasted breadcrumbs, flicked over the top like confetti.
From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2026
The badger flicked whatever she’d gleaned from her claw, then pushed upright.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Ten years ago Alec Palao was casually flicking through a collection of old records when he noticed some faint pencil markings that were enough to draw a gasp.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
This time, McRae dances in a sandpit, quickly flicking sand up with her feet as she sings “Sports Car.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
By flicking their forked tongues, they collect chemical signals from the air that help them locate potential prey.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
The debutant looked at home on the international stage, passing the ball well and flicking a header on to the crossbar in the second half.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2025
“Of course you do,” she said, before flicking the compass needle and spinning it round and round.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
