flash
flash — noun
- flashsingular
- flashesplural
1. a burst of strong light that lasts only a moment before fading away.
a burst of strong light that lasts only a moment before fading away.
A bright flash lit up the kitchen during the thunderstorm last Tuesday.
collocation: bright/sudden + flash
Lucas saw a flash of lightning over the hills behind his grandparents' farm.
common collocation: a flash of lightning
There was a sudden flash from the camera as the photographer captured the bride.
pattern: a flash from + light source
The welder's torch sent quick flashes across the workshop wall every few seconds.
Mayumi noticed a faint flash on the horizon, probably a faraway lighthouse signal.
- a flash of lightning
- a sudden flash
- a bright flash
- blinding flash
Grammar Patterns
a flash of light
a bright flash
Usage Note
Often used with 'of' + light source (a flash of lightning, a flash of fire). Distinguishes from sense 3 (the camera device) and sense 7 (a moment of time) by always denoting an actual visible burst of light.
Common Mistakes
2. a brief, intense feeling, idea, or realisation that arrives unexpectedly.
a brief, intense feeling, idea, or realisation that arrives unexpectedly.
In a flash of anger, Théo slammed the laptop shut and walked outside.
collocation: a flash of + emotion noun
Anya had a flash of inspiration while washing the dishes after dinner.
common phrase: a flash of inspiration
A flash of guilt crossed Joaquín's face when his mother mentioned the broken vase.
I felt a flash of fear when the elevator suddenly stopped between floors.
Selim spoke with such a flash of pride that everyone at the table smiled.
- a flash of inspiration
- a flash of anger
- a flash of insight
- a flash of guilt
Grammar Patterns
a flash of + emotion/idea
Usage Note
Subject is usually an emotion, an idea, or a realisation; the feeling is short and surprises the experiencer. Distinguishes from sense 1 (visible light) by referring to internal experience.
3. the part on a camera (or a separate add-on tool) that throws out a sharp burst o
the part on a camera (or a separate add-on tool) that throws out a sharp burst of light so a photo can be taken in low light.
Madison forgot to turn off the flash and woke the sleeping baby.
collocation: turn on/off + the flash
Most museums ask visitors to photograph the paintings without flash to protect the colours.
pattern: with / without + flash
The photographer attached an external flash before walking into the dark reception hall.
Nila's phone camera has a small built-in flash for low-light selfies.
Hugo's old film camera needs a battery for the flash to work properly.
- turn the flash on
- without flash
- built-in flash
- external flash
- flashlight
in American English a portable hand torch; 'flash' on a camera is the camera-mounted strobe
- strobe
professional studio equipment that produces many quick bursts; 'flash' is the everyday word
Grammar Patterns
use the flash
with/without flash
Usage Note
Often used uncountably in phrases like 'with flash' / 'without flash' / 'no flash, please'. Distinguishes from sense 1 by naming the device, not the burst of light itself.
4. a small cloth patch or coloured strip sewn onto an army or navy jacket to mark a
a small cloth patch or coloured strip sewn onto an army or navy jacket to mark a soldier's rank, regiment, or unit.
Captain Walid pointed at the red flash on his shoulder to identify his regiment.
pattern: a flash on + uniform body part
Each unit wore a different coloured flash so officers could spot soldiers across the field.
Imran polished his boots and ironed the flash onto his ceremonial jacket sleeve.
The museum displayed an old regimental flash from a Scottish infantry unit of 1915.
- regimental flash
- wear a flash
- shoulder flash
Grammar Patterns
wear a flash
regimental flash
Usage Note
Mainly British military usage. Typically modified by a regiment name or colour. Distinguishes from sense 1 (light) and sense 5 (a quick glimpse) by being a physical patch.
5. a very short view of something, often spotted by accident before it disappears a
a very short view of something, often spotted by accident before it disappears again.
I caught a flash of red fur as the fox dashed across the road.
collocation: catch / get + a flash of
Through the trees, Bao saw a flash of the deer's white tail.
A flash of silver in the river told the children there were fish nearby.
Esme got only a flash of the singer's face before the bodyguards pushed her away.
The hikers caught a flash of the waterfall through a gap in the mist.
- catch a flash of
- a flash of colour
- a quick flash
Grammar Patterns
catch a flash of
a flash of + noun
Usage Note
Subject is usually a moving object or partially hidden scene; commonly preceded by 'catch / get / see + a flash of'. Distinguishes from sense 1 (a burst of actual light) by being a brief view of any visible thing.
6. a brief urgent piece of news that breaks into a TV or radio programme to share s
a brief urgent piece of news that breaks into a TV or radio programme to share something just happening.
A news flash interrupted the football match to report the earthquake in Taiwan.
collocation: news flash interrupted + programme
Manuela switched on the radio just in time for an evening flash about the election.
The presenter read a short flash about the prime minister's resignation, then returned to the weather.
pattern: read + a flash about
Reema heard a breaking news flash on her car radio during the morning commute.
- news flash
- breaking news flash
- a flash on the radio
Grammar Patterns
a news flash
breaking news flash
Usage Note
Often appears as 'news flash' or 'breaking news flash' rather than 'flash' alone. Distinguishes from sense 5 (a brief view) by being a broadcast item.
7. a piece of time so short that it feels almost over before it begins.
a piece of time so short that it feels almost over before it begins.
The weekend was over in a flash, and Lauren had to pack for Monday.
fixed phrase: over in a flash
Eli answered the maths question in a flash, surprising even his teacher.
fixed phrase: in a flash = instantly
The bus arrived, the doors opened, and in a flash Putri was gone.
Aoi promised the dog walk would only take a flash, but they were gone an hour.
- in a flash
- over in a flash
- gone in a flash
Grammar Patterns
in a flash
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in a flash'. Distinguishes from sense 2 (a sudden feeling) by referring to elapsed time, not an inner experience.
Common Mistakes
8. a showy way of dressing or behaving that is meant to attract attention and impre
a showy way of dressing or behaving that is meant to attract attention and impress others.
The car was all flash on the outside but had a tiny old engine inside.
fixed phrase: all flash and no substance
Otis enjoyed a bit of flash on his birthday — a velvet jacket and gold rings.
collocation: a bit of flash
The restaurant had plenty of flash but the food was disappointing.
Without all the flash of his rival, the new mayor focused on quiet, practical reforms.
- all flash
- a bit of flash
- more flash than substance
- substance
the quality of real value behind the surface
Grammar Patterns
all flash
a bit of flash
Usage Note
Usually uncountable. Often paired with 'all' or 'a bit of' and carries a slightly disapproving tone about style without substance.
a flash in the pan
idioma person, event, or success that does well for a short time but then quickly fades and does not last.
Critics worried the young writer was just a flash in the pan after his first novel.
The band's huge first album turned out to be a flash in the pan; they never released another hit.
in/like a flash
idiomhappening very quickly, almost too fast to follow.
When the smoke alarm sounded, Indra was out of bed and downstairs in a flash.
The cat snatched the chicken off the counter like a flash.
extremely quickly, especially in reacting or replying.
Quick as a flash, Léa ducked behind the door so her brother wouldn't see her.
Asher answered the riddle as quick as a flash and won the family quiz.
flash — verb
- flashpresent simple I / you / we / they
- flashes3rd person singular
- flashing-ing form
- flashedpast simple
1. to produce a quick burst of light, or to make a lamp do this on purpose.
to produce a quick burst of light, or to make a lamp do this on purpose.
The lighthouse flashes every twelve seconds to warn passing ships of the rocks.
pattern: X flashes every + time interval
Lightning flashed across the sky just as the football team ran onto the pitch.
common collocation: lightning flashed
Officer Tomás flashed his torch into the dark garage to check for intruders.
pattern: flash + light source + into/at
The driver behind us flashed his headlights to warn about a police checkpoint.
collocation: flash one's headlights
Stars flashed faintly through the gaps in the cloudy night sky.
- lightning flashed
- flash a torch
- flash one's headlights
Grammar Patterns
X flashes
flash + light source
Usage Note
Intransitive when the light source is the subject ('lightning flashed'); transitive when a person directs the light ('she flashed her torch'). Common collocations: flash a torch, flash one's headlights.
2. (of a person's eyes) to suddenly look brighter or sharper for a moment because o
(of a person's eyes) to suddenly look brighter or sharper for a moment because of a strong feeling such as anger or excitement.
Zola's eyes flashed with anger when she heard her brother had taken her bike.
pattern: eyes flashed + with + emotion
Grandpa's eyes flashed with excitement as he opened the old photograph album.
Tyler's eyes flashed dangerously, and the room went quiet at once.
pattern: eyes flashed + adverb of intensity
The judge's eyes flashed when the witness changed her story for the third time.
- eyes flashed with anger
- eyes flashed dangerously
Grammar Patterns
someone's eyes flash + with emotion
Usage Note
Subject is almost always 'eyes' or 'someone's eyes'. Frequently followed by 'with + emotion' (anger, excitement, fear). Mostly literary or narrative.
3. to travel past or through somewhere extremely quickly, almost too fast to watch.
to travel past or through somewhere extremely quickly, almost too fast to watch.
A red sports car flashed past us on the motorway just before sunset.
collocation: flash past
Aoi watched the rice fields flash by from the bullet train window.
common collocation: flash by
Children on bicycles flashed through the park, laughing and ringing their bells.
A long string of dolphins flashed alongside Hugo's boat for several minutes.
- flash past
- flash by
- flash through
- crawl
to move extremely slowly
Grammar Patterns
flash past / by / through
Usage Note
Usually followed by a preposition or particle of motion (past, by, through, across, alongside). Subject is typically a fast-moving vehicle, animal, or person.
4. to show something to someone for only a moment, often as proof or as a quick ges
to show something to someone for only a moment, often as proof or as a quick gesture.
Mr. Chidi flashed his security pass at the receptionist and walked into the office.
common pattern: flash + ID + at someone
The customer flashed a small smile at the waiter before turning back to her phone.
collocation: flash + smile / grin
Brandon flashed his driver's licence at the bouncer and was let into the club.
Ada flashed an angry look at the boys who were teasing her younger sister.
collocation: flash + a look
The magician flashed a card to the audience and made it vanish a second later.
- flash a smile
- flash a badge
- flash an ID
- hide
to keep something out of sight
Grammar Patterns
flash + object + at someone
Usage Note
Object is usually a small item shown for proof (ID, badge, ticket) or a facial expression (smile, grin, look). Distinguishes from sense 1 (a burst of light) by always taking a non-light object.
5. to suddenly show one's private body parts to other people in public, usually as
to suddenly show one's private body parts to other people in public, usually as a shocking act.
A drunk stranger tried to flash a family in the park, and police were called.
pattern: flash + at/in public + bystanders
Two students were arrested last weekend for flashing tourists outside the train station.
common collocation: flash + bystanders
The teenager dared his friend to flash the security camera as a stupid joke.
Park rangers warned hikers about a man who had been flashing walkers along the river trail.
- flash at someone
- flash in public
- expose
more formal; 'expose oneself' is the legal term, 'flash' is the everyday word
Grammar Patterns
flash + at someone
Usage Note
Often used intransitively ('he flashed at someone'). The act is usually treated as offensive or illegal in news and conversation. Distinguishes from sense 4 (show something briefly) by referring specifically to indecent exposure.
6. to send information very quickly, especially by using light signals, radio, or s
to send information very quickly, especially by using light signals, radio, or screens.
The captain flashed a coded message to the next ship using a signal lamp.
pattern: flash + message + to someone
News of the wedding was flashed across television screens around the world within minutes.
common passive: be flashed across screens
The control tower flashed a green light to the small plane waiting on the runway.
Sports results were flashed onto the giant scoreboard as soon as each match ended.
- flash a message
- be flashed across screens
- flash a signal
Grammar Patterns
flash + message + to someone
Usage Note
Frequently passive ('the message was flashed across screens'). Object is usually a signal, message, or news item; the medium is often a light, radio, or large screen.
7. if an idea or memory flashes through your mind, it appears in your thoughts sudd
if an idea or memory flashes through your mind, it appears in your thoughts suddenly and only for a moment.
A memory of his late father flashed through Joshua's mind when he smelt fresh coffee.
pattern: X flashed through someone's mind
The answer flashed into Lakshmi's head right after she had handed in the test.
variation: flash into someone's head
An image of the missing keys flashed across Eitan's mind during the meeting.
It flashed through Madison's mind that she might have left the oven on.
pattern: it flashed through + mind + that-clause
- flash through one's mind
- flash across one's mind
- flash into someone's head
Grammar Patterns
flash through / across + someone's mind
Usage Note
Subject is almost always a thought, memory, idea, or 'it' + that-clause. Usually followed by 'through / across / into + someone's mind / head'. Distinguishes from sense 2 noun (a sudden feeling) by being a verb of thought arrival.
8. to show something expensive or impressive in a proud, attention-seeking way.
to show something expensive or impressive in a proud, attention-seeking way.
Valentina flashed her diamond ring at every table during the wedding reception.
pattern: flash + luxury item + at someone
Don't flash that much cash on the bus — someone might try to rob you.
The young footballer flashed his new sports car all over social media last weekend.
collocation: flash + status item + on social media
Christopher flashed his expensive watch to anyone who would look at his wrist.
- flash one's money
- flash a ring
- flash a sports car
- conceal
to deliberately hide something valuable
Grammar Patterns
flash + valuable object
Usage Note
Object is usually something valuable or status-symbolic (money, jewellery, designer goods). Carries a disapproving tone — the person is seen as boastful. Distinguishes from sense 4 by always being about bragging, not proof.
flash — adjective
- flashpositive
- flashercomparative
- flashestsuperlative
1. designed to look costly and grab people's attention, often in a way many would c
designed to look costly and grab people's attention, often in a way many would call tasteless.
The footballer drove a flash silver convertible into the quiet village square.
pattern: a flash + status object
Min's uncle wore a flash gold watch to every family wedding.
The hotel lobby was a bit too flash for Dahlia's quiet tastes.
pattern: too flash for + person
Ramón thought a flash leather jacket would impress the band, but it just made him look uncomfortable.
- a flash car
- a flash watch
- a flash hotel
- too flash
- flashy
very close in meaning; 'flashy' is more common in American English
- showy
neutral about taste; 'flash' usually carries disapproval
- ostentatious
formal version; 'flash' is the everyday British equivalent
- understated
stylish in a quiet, low-key way
- modest
not trying to attract attention
Grammar Patterns
a flash + noun
Usage Note
Mainly British informal usage. Often used before nouns that name luxury items (car, watch, suit, hotel). Carries a mildly critical tone — the speaker thinks the display is too much.
Common Mistakes
flash — adverb
1. by being put under intense heat or cold for only a very short time, in order to
by being put under intense heat or cold for only a very short time, in order to cook or freeze food.
The chef flash-fried the prawns in hot oil for less than a minute.
compound: flash-fry / flash-cook
Workers at the factory flash-froze the strawberries straight from the fields.
compound: flash-freeze
Anna learned how to flash-grill tuna while studying cooking in Lisbon.
Tamás explained that the tomatoes had been flash-roasted to lock in the sweetness.
- flash-fry
- flash-freeze
- flash-grill
- flash-roast
- slowly
of cooking, gently over a long time
Grammar Patterns
flash-cook / flash-fry / flash-freeze
Usage Note
Almost always appears as a hyphenated prefix combined with a cooking verb (flash-fry, flash-freeze, flash-grill, flash-roast). The adverb does not stand alone in everyday speech.
Word family
- flashyadjectiveC1
- flashlightnounB1
- flashbacknounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words describe light that appears and disappears, but each suggests a different scene. A flash is the shortest and sharpest — think of a camera or a single bolt of lightning. A burst is broader: there can be a burst of light, sound, or activity, and it often feels louder or more energetic. A gleam is softer and steadier, like the slow shine of polished metal in sunlight. A flare burns longer and stronger, with a flame-like edge — a torch flares, lightning flashes. A flicker wavers on and off, like a candle in the wind. So you would say 'a flash of lightning', 'a gleam of moonlight', 'the flare of a match', and 'the flicker of a screen', each for the right kind of light.
Common collocations
Etymology
Comes from Middle English 'flaschen', a word formed to imitate the quick sound or sight of sudden movement. The earliest senses were about splashing water and striking lightning; from these the meanings spread to short bursts of light, quick movement, and brief visible displays. The adjective sense — 'showy in an expensive way' — grew out of this idea of attention-grabbing brightness.
First known use
13th century
13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 8 Noun