flick

¹

[ flik ]

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.
3. a light and rapid movement:

   a flick of the wrist.

4. 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.

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

verb (used without object)

1. to move with a jerk or jerks.
2. to flutter; flicker.

flick

²

[ flik ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a motion picture; movie.

flick

¹

/ 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

3. to move or cause to move quickly or jerkily
4. intrfoll bythrough to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly or idly
5. 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
3. a fleck, streak, or particle
4. give someone the flick informal.
   give someone the flick to dismiss someone from consideration

flick

²

/ flɪk /

noun

1. a cinema film
2. the flicks
   the flicks the cinema

   what's on at the flicks tonight?

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flick¹

C15: of imitative origin; compare French flicflac

Example Sentences

She plans to hold movie nights, where they’ll gather in the living room to catch a flick.

From Fortune

His latest film, Bad Hair, is a horror flick about a bloodsucking weave that has political relevance you may not expect.

From Ozy

It allowed content creators to shoot their footage with two distinct looks, which viewers could seamlessly switch with the flick of a wrist.

From 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.

From Popular-Science

The ongoing earthly presence of the enormous shark persists in our collective imagination thanks to rumors, legends, and summer B flicks.

From Popular-Science

Craig is signed on for just one more Bond flick after Spectre.

From The 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?

From The Daily Beast

But the little-known stories behind the making of the film are almost as fascinating as the flick itself.

From The Daily Beast

You and Nic Cage are basically having a contest in that flick of who can go further.

From The Daily Beast

Franco optioned the tome back in March 2011, and will star and direct the flick.

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Im beginning to feel like the Fourth of July, said Flick, who gave in completely with this last display of magnificence.

From Project Gutenberg

No peace on earth, no good-will to men, said Flick, seeing the idea and almost moved to tears.

From Project Gutenberg

Flick Wilder now began to return, talking violently and flopping about in the last stages of a nightmare.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flip
• snap
• tap

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?

• flip
• snap
• tap

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

• movie
• quick
• wrist
• whip

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.