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:
The most famous corner is Eau Rouge, a high-speed left-right flick into and out of a compression that launches the cars uphill into a left over a crest - technically known as Raidillon.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
That exchange is followed by a notification that she blocked Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the upcoming fantasy flick.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
The Minions try to make a monster movie in the latest ‘Despicable Me’ flick, ‘Legally Blonde’ gets a prequel series, Madonna returns with a new album, and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
The valets in the lobby summon golf carts with a flick of the wrist, graciously driving me back and forth from the parking lot.
From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2026
I look at Shoji—his eyes flick up from his hidden book for a sliver of a moment.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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
Gangster flicks are perhaps among the most misunderstood movies out there.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
During the coronavirus pandemic, she rewatched all of the "Twilight" vampire romance films, which were released from 2008 to 2012, and Bollywood flicks from the 1990s.
From Barron's ● Apr. 8, 2026
He flicks his rubber band as his eyes scan my body, mentally critiquing my lack of physical fortitude.
From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
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
Perhaps the quirkiest fortnight in football peaked for Roberto Martinez's side when Ben Watson flicked a 91st-minute header beyond Manchester City stopper Joe Hart to send Wigan fans wild at Wembley.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
Ivan flicked his eyes to Håkon, who shut the door and crossed his arms.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
By flicking their forked tongues, they collect chemical signals from the air that help them locate potential prey.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
Yet here I am, stalking him on Instagram, up all hours flicking through interviews and career highlight clips.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
"I was just flicking off lights and starting the wind down and I heard a loud bang" he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.
From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026
But when it comes to restarting carmaking, experts point out the process is not like flicking a switch.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2025
Jonah’s eyes are flicking back and forth between us and Dad.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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.
