flick

[ flik ]

/ flɪk /

SEE 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.

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bailiwick

a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.

place or source of origin.

a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.

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Origin of flick

1400–50; late Middle English flykke; apparently imitative

Words nearby flick

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for flicked

It looked like Halloween when I flicked the light on in the bathroom.
Dealing With Dad the Dealer|Tony Doukopil|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Louis threw himself on the sofa and flicked at flies with his eternal riding-whip.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He holstered his gun, flicked a hand at the rusty iron bars in the soil.
The Ballad of Johnny France|Richard Ben Cramer|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She flicked off the press photographers after winning Best Actress.
How Jennifer Lawrence Took Over Hollywood. (It’s Not Just Because of Her Charm.)|Kevin Fallon|December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

At the end, the two embraced and Eminem flicked off the crowd, a middle-finger mea culpa.
Eminem’s Homophobic ‘Rap God’ Lyrics Are Getting a Free Pass|Kevin Fallon|October 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The waiter, a pallid creature, flicked a table loudly to cover his reply.
A Son of the Immortals|Louis Tracy
Sometimes also when the "song" itself is in progress the wings are flicked up and down with measured rhythm.
Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part 1 (of 2)|Arthur Cleveland Bent
He rose, flicked the cigarette ash from his sleeve, and made a motion towards the hill.
The Pursuit|Frank (Frank Mackenzie) Savile
Suddenly he flicked the dog he called "Emperor" with the whip!
The Curlytops and Their Pets|Howard R. Garis
The girls sat down on the hearthrug, and Mrs. Amber seated herself before her tea tray and flicked away a tear.
Married Life|May Edginton

British Dictionary definitions for flicked (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 flicked (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

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