1 flake | Definition of flake

flake

noun (1)
\ ˈflāk How to pronounce flake (audio) \

Definition of flake

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a small loose mass or bit flakes of snow
2 : a thin flattened piece or layer : chip
3 slang : cocaine

flake

verb
flaked; flaking

Definition of flake (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with or as if with flakes
2 : to form or break into flakes : chip

intransitive verb

1 : to separate into flakes also : to peel in flakes
2 or flake out, informal : to fail or neglect to do or participate in something previously scheduled, agreed upon, or assigned He'd disappear, then text, disappear, and then text again. So it's not particularly surprising that when we finally made plans to meet he flaked without a word. — Kerensa Cadenas My brother isn't the type to flake out without warning.— D. Morgan Ballmer often used with on Flake on your friends too often and pretty soon your only friends will be Dharma and Greg.— Colleen RushLet's get him to sign his name to that before he flakes out on you!— Rhoda Janzen

flake

noun (2)

Definition of flake (Entry 3 of 4)

: a stage, platform, or tray for drying fish or produce

flake

noun (3)

Definition of flake (Entry 4 of 4)

: a person who is flaky : oddball

Examples of flake in a Sentence

Verb

Bake the fish until it flakes easily when tested with a fork.

First Known Use of flake

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1964, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for flake

Noun (1)

Middle English; akin to Old English flacor flying (of arrows), Old Norse flakna to flake off, split

Noun (2)

Middle English flake, fleke hurdle; akin to Middle Dutch vlāke, vlaec hurdle, Old Norse flaki

Noun (3)

perhaps from flake out

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More Definitions for flake

flake

verb

English Language Learners Definition of flake

: to break apart into small, thin pieces
: to form loose, thin pieces that fall off

flake

noun
\ ˈflāk How to pronounce flake (audio) \

Kids Definition of flake

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a small thin flat piece

flake

verb
flaked; flaking

Kids Definition of flake (Entry 2 of 2)

: to form or separate into small thin flat pieces

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More from Merriam-Webster on flake

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with flake

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flake

Spanish Central: Translation of flake

Nglish: Translation of flake for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of flake for Arabic Speakers