flake Hear it!

flake¹ Definition

flake (flāk)

noun

  1. a small, thin mass a flake of snow
  2. a thin piece or layer split off or peeled off from anything; chip
  3. Slang an eccentric, unbalanced, or irrational person

Etymology: ME < Scand, as in Norw flak, ice floe, ON flakna, to flake off < IE *plāg, flat < base *plā- > plain

transitive verb, intransitive verb flaked, flak·ing

  1. to form into flakes
  2. to chip or peel off in flakes
  3. to make or become spotted with flakes

flake¹ Related Forms

flaker noun

flake² Definition

flake (flāk)

noun

a platform or rack for storing or drying food

Etymology: ME flake, fleke < ON flaki, fleki, hurdle < IE base *pel-, to cover > fell

flake³ Definition

flake (flāk)

transitive verb flaked, flak·ing

fake

Etymology: prob. specialized use of flake

flake³ Idioms

flake out

Slang
  1. to fall asleep
  2. to faint

flake Synonyms

flake

n.

flake Synonyms

flake

v.

flake Usage Examples

Object

  • almond: You might also like to try soured cream, lemon juice, flaked almonds or ground cloves.
  • paintwork: The Harper's PD2 is currently inside and Geoff Hodkinson is dealing with the flaking paintwork in the upper deck.
  • tuna: Flake the tuna into fairly large chunks and scatter these around the edge.
  • maize: The inclusion of flaked maize in the grist subtlely hints at crisp corn flavors.
  • bark: In certain lights, minute shadows are cast against the surface of the trunk from myriad curls of flaking outer bark.

Converse of object

  • retouch: An unburnt retouched flint flake was recovered which may have accompanied the burial.
  • perch: Take care with a perched flake in the corner.

Adjective modifier

  • undercut: From the undercut flake toward the right hand side.
  • hollow: More unstable moves lead up to the hollow flake around which I could finally place the crucial protection- a 60cm sling.
  • thin: Climb to the break, then make hard moves up the thin flakes to the right of the crack, to the next break.

Modifies a noun

  • belay: The 9m Fourth Pitch follows almost immediately with a useful flake belay to keep the ladder out of the line of the water.
  • crack: Move up the flake crack to place a runner, then step back down to the ledge.
  • scar: Shackley ( 1974 ) emphasized flake scar ridge ( arête ) abrasion as a product of fluvial transport.

Noun used with modifier

  • flint: In 2002 they found a flint flake - an undisputed artifact.
  • bran: Children can be enticed to eat more fiber by sprinkling bran flakes over their yogurt or other dessert.
  • tula: The first clue is that tula flakes may show one or more unresolved ring cracks present on the striking platform.
  • bonito: Dashi: The basic stock for miso soup, the flavorings are Kombu seaweed and dried bonito flakes.
  • chili: Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, brown sugar, and chili flakes in a small saucepan.
  • corn: The answer Jim suggests: an analogy - some people like corn flakes, others rice crispies.

Preposition: of

snow: Half way up, a few flakes of snow began to fall.

Browse dictionary entries near flake

  1. flak jacket
  2. flak
  3. flair
  4. flail
  5. Flaherty
  6. flagstone
  7. flagstick
  8. flagstaff
  9. Flagstad
  10. flagship
  1. flaky
  2. flam
  3. flambé
  4. flambeau
  5. flamboyant
  6. flame
  7. flame cell
  8. flame stitch
  9. flame tree
  10. Flame War