flick

[ flik ]

/ flɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flick 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.

RELATED WORDS

snap, tap, flip, tip, flicker, hit, dab, pat

Nearby words

Origin of flick

1400–50; late Middle English flykke; apparently imitative

Definition for flick (2 of 2)

flick

[ flik ]

/ flɪk /

noun Slang.

a motion picture.

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for flick

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

Do you have any favorite memories from the making of that flick?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on ‘Sin City’ and Why He Considers Himself a Male Feminist|Marlow Stern|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never felt so gorgeously, deliciously happy in my life, said Flick, in a melancholy tone.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
When Mr. Lovel showed his anger, Mr. Flick became somewhat indignant.
Lady Anna|Anthony Trollope
I shall break my engagement to Belle, said Flick facetiously.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Flick, Schneibel, the baron, Tootles came piling after him and up the stairs on the heels of the fleeing girl.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
He saw birds come and dip their heads to drink in it and then flick their wings and fly away.
The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett

British Dictionary definitions for flick (1 of 2)

flick

/ (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)

flick

/ (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

Word Origin and History for flick (1 of 2)

flick

mid-15c., probably imitative of a light blow with a whip. Earliest recorded use is in phrase not worth a flykke "useless." As slang for "film," it is first attested 1926, a back-formation from flicker (v.), from their flickering appearance.

Word Origin and History for flick (1 of 2)

flick

1816, from flick (n.); meaning "quick turn of the wrist" is from 1897, originally in cricket. Related: Flicked; flicking.

flick

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of flick

Definition for flick (2 of 2)

flick

noun Slang.

Origin of flick

Examples from the Web for flick

British Dictionary definitions for flick (1 of 2)

flick

verb

noun

Word Origin for flick

British Dictionary definitions for flick (2 of 2)

flick

noun slang

Word Origin and History for flick (1 of 2)

flick

Word Origin and History for flick (1 of 2)

flick