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flicker

verb
flick·​er | \ ˈfli-kÉ™r How to pronounce flicker (audio) \
flickered; flickering\ ˈfli-​k(É™-​)riÅ‹ How to pronounce flickering (audio) \

Definition of flicker

 (Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to move irregularly or unsteadily : flutter Shadows flickered on the wall.
2 : to burn or shine fitfully or with a fluctuating light a candle flickering in the window
3 : to appear or pass briefly or quickly Thoughts flickered through his mind. A smile flickered across her face.

transitive verb

1 : to cause to flicker
2 : to produce by flickering

flicker

noun (1)

Definition of flicker (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : an act of flickering
b : a sudden brief movement the flicker of an eyelash
c : a momentary quickening a flicker of anger
d : a slight indication : hint a flicker of recognition
2a : a wavering light the flicker of a candle
b : a repeated momentary defect in a cathode-ray tube image caused especially by slow scanning of the screen
3 dated, informal : movie —often used in plural

flicker

noun (2)

Definition of flicker (Entry 3 of 3)

: a large barred and spotted North American woodpecker (Colaptes auratus) with a brown back that commonly forages on the ground for ants — compare red-shafted flicker, yellow-shafted flicker
Other Words from flicker Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about flicker

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Other Words from flicker

Noun (1)

flickery \ ˈfli-​k(É™-​)rÄ“ How to pronounce flickery (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for flicker

Synonyms: Verb

dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter, zip

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Examples of flicker in a Sentence

Verb

 A TV was flickering in the background. The overhead light kept flickering off and on. Thoughts flickered through his mind. A smile flickered across her face.
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First Known Use of flicker

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1809, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for flicker

Verb

Middle English flikeren, from Old English flicorian

Noun (2)

probably imitative of its call

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More Definitions for flicker

flicker

verb
How to pronounce flicker (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of flicker

: to burn or glow in an unsteady way : to produce an unsteady light
: to appear or pass briefly or quickly

See the full definition for flicker in the English Language Learners Dictionary

flicker

verb
flick·​er | \ ˈfli-kÉ™r How to pronounce flicker (audio) \
flickered; flickering

Kids Definition of flicker

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to burn unsteadily a flickering candle
2 : to appear briefly A smile flickered across her face.
3 : to move quickly Roy's eyes flickered to her hand …— Carl Hiaasen, Hoot

flicker

noun

Kids Definition of flicker (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a quick small movement a flicker of the eyelids
2 : a quick movement of light

flicker

noun

Kids Definition of flicker (Entry 3 of 3)

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