Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense flashes, present participle flashing, past tense, past participle flashed
1. countable noun
A flash is a sudden burst of light or of something shiny or bright.
A sudden flash of lightning lit everything up for a second.
The wire snapped at the wall plug with a blue flash and the light fused.
A jay emerged from the juniper bush in a flash of blue feathers.
2. verb
If a light flashes or if you flash a light, it shines with a sudden bright light, especially as quick, regular flashes of light.
Lightning flashed among the distant dark clouds. [VERB]
He lost his temper after a driver flashed her headlights as he overtook. [VERB noun]
He flashed his light into the boat and saw the fishing-line. [VERB noun]
He saw the flashing lights of the highway patrol car in his driving mirror. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: blaze, shine, beam, sparkle More Synonyms of flash
3. countable noun
You talk about aflashof something when you are saying that it happens very suddenly and unexpectedly.
'What did Moira tell you?' Liz demanded with a flash of anger. [+ of]
When pursued, he made his escape with a flash of speed.
The essays could do with a flash of wit or humor.
Synonyms: burst, show, sign, touch More Synonyms of flash
4. verb
If something flashes past or by, it moves past you so fast that you cannot see it properly.
It was a busy road, cars flashed by every few minutes. [VERB preposition/adverb]
...the ball flashed across the face of the goal. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: speed, race, shoot, fly More Synonyms of flash
5. verb
If something flashes through or into your mind, you suddenly think about it.
A ludicrous thought flashed through Harry's mind. [V + through/into]
Those lines of Milton flashed into my mind. [Vthrough/into n]
6. verb
If you flash something such as an identity card, you show it to people quickly and then put it away again.
[informal]
Halim flashed his official card, and managed to get hold of a soldier to guard theLand Rover. [VERB noun]
7. verb
If a picture or message flashesup on a screen, or if you flash it onto a screen, it is displayed there briefly or suddenly, and often repeatedly.
The figures flash up on the scoreboard. [Vup]
The words 'Good Luck' were flashing on the screen. [VERB preposition]
Researchers flash two groups of different letters onto a computer screen. [VERB noun preposition]
The screen flashes a message: Try again. [VERB noun]
A list of items is repeatedly flashed up on the screen. [beV-ed up]
[Also V n up]
Synonyms: display, show, present More Synonyms of flash
8. verb
If you flash news or information to a place, you send it there quickly by computer, satellite, or other system.
They had told their offices to flash the news as soon as it broke. [VERB noun]
This is, of course, international news and soon it was being flashed around the world. [beVERB-ed preposition/adverb]
[Also VERB noun preposition/adverb]
9. verb
If you flash a look or a smile at someone, you suddenly look at them or smile at them.
[written]
I flashed a look at Sue. [VERB noun + at]
Meg flashed Cissie a grateful smile. [VERB noun noun]
10. verb
If someone's eyes flash, they suddenly show a strong emotion, especially anger.
[literary]
Her dark eyes flashed and she spoke rapidly. [VERB]
11. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Flash is the use of special bulbs to give more light when taking a photograph.
He was one of the first people to use high speed flash in bird photography.
12. countable noun
A flash is the same as a flashlight.
[US, informal]
Stopping to rest, Pete shut off the flash.
13. adjective
If you describe something as flash, you mean that it looks expensive, fashionable, and new.
[informal]
...a flash uptown restaurant.
You can go for a 'rostrum' system, which sounds flash, but can be assembled quitecheaply.
Synonyms: ostentatious, smart, glamorous, trendy More Synonyms of flash
14.
See a flash in the pan
15.
See in a flash
16.
See quick as a flash
Phrasal verbs:
See flash back
More Synonyms of flash
flash in British English
(flæʃ)
noun
1.
a sudden short blaze of intense light or flame
a flash of sunlight
2.
a sudden occurrence or display, esp one suggestive of brilliance
a flash of understanding
3.
a very brief space of time
over in a flash
4.
an ostentatious display
a flash of her diamonds
5. Also called: newsflash
a short news announcement concerning a new event
6. Also called: patch mainly British
an insignia or emblem worn on a uniform, vehicle, etc, to identify its military formation
7.
a patch of bright colour on a dark background, such as light marking on an animal
8.
a volatile mixture of inorganic salts used to produce a glaze on bricks or tiles
9.
a.
a sudden rush of water down a river or watercourse
b.
a device, such as a sluice, for producing such a rush
10. photography informal short for flashlight (sense 2), flash photography
11.
a ridge of thin metal or plastic formed on a moulded object by the extrusion of excess material between dies
12. Yorkshire and Lancashire dialect
a pond, esp one produced as a consequence of subsidence
13. (modifier)
involving, using, or produced by a flash of heat, light, etc
flash blindness
flash distillation
14. flash in the pan
adjective
15. informal
ostentatious or vulgar
16. informal
of or relating to gamblers and followers of boxing and racing
17.
sham or counterfeit
18. informal
relating to or characteristic of the criminal underworld
19.
brief and rapid
flash freezing
verb
20.
to burst or cause to burst suddenly or intermittently into flame
21.
to emit or reflect or cause to emit or reflect light suddenly or intermittently
22. (intransitive)
to move very fast
he flashed by on his bicycle
23. (intransitive)
to come rapidly (into the mind or vision)
24. (intr; foll by out or up)
to appear like a sudden light
his anger really flashes out at times
25.
a.
to signal or communicate very fast
to flash a message
b.
to signal by use of a light, such as car headlights
26. (transitive) informal
to display ostentatiously
to flash money around
27. (transitive) informal
to show suddenly and briefly
28. (intransitive) British slang
to expose oneself indecently
29. (transitive)
to cover (a roof) with flashing
30.
to send a sudden rush of water down (a river, etc), or to carry (a vessel) down bythis method
31.
(in the making of glass) to coat (glass) with a thin layer of glass of a differentcolour
32. (transitive)
to subject to a brief pulse of heat or radiation
33. (transitive)
to change (a liquid) to a gas by causing it to hit a hot surface
34. obsolete
to splash or dash (water)
Word origin
C14 (in the sense: to rush, as of water): of unknown origin
flash in American English
(flæʃ)
verb intransitive
1.
to send out or reflect a sudden, brief blaze or light, esp. at intervals
2.
to sparkle or gleam
eyes flashing with anger
3.
to speak abruptly, esp. in anger
usually with out
4.
to come, move, or pass swiftly and suddenly; be seen or realized for an instant like a flash of light
an idea flashed through his mind
5. Informal
to expose one's genitals, breasts, etc. briefly and deliberately in public
6. Informal
to have a sudden idea, thought, insight, or recollection
usually with on
verb transitive
7.
to send out (light, etc.) in sudden, brief spurts
8.
to cause to flash
9.
to signal with light or reflected light
10.
to send (news, messages, etc.) swiftly or suddenly, as by radio
11.
to put flashing on so as to make weatherproof
12. Informal
to show briefly or ostentatiously
to flash a roll of money
13. Informal
to expose (one's genitals, breasts, etc.) briefly and deliberately to (someone)
14. Archaic
to splash or dash (water)
15. Glassmaking
a.
to put (a colored film of glass) on other glass
b.
to coat with a colored film of glass
noun
16.
a.
a sudden, brief light
b.
a sudden burst of flame or heat
17.
a brief time; moment
18.
a sudden, brief display of thought, understanding, feeling, etc.
a flash of wit
19. US
a brief news report of something that has just happened
20.
a gaudy display; showiness
21.
a preparation containing burnt sugar, used for coloring liquors
22.
anything that flashes; specif., an electric light source that gives a brief dazzling light for taking photographs
23. Informal
a.
a flashlight
b.
a person very quick or adept at something
adjective
24. Chiefly British, Informal
a.
flashy; showy; sporty
b.
of thieves or other social outcasts
25.
happening swiftly or suddenly
a flash warning
26.
working with a coordinated flash of light
a flash camera
27. Computing
designating or of an erasable memory device that retains stored data when power is turned off
Idioms:
flash in the pan
SYNONYMY NOTE: flash implies a sudden, brief, brilliant light; , glance1 refers to a darting light, esp. one that is reflected from a surface at an angle;, gleam suggests a steady, narrow ray of light shining through a background of relative darkness;, sparkle implies a number of brief, bright, intermittent flashes; , glitter implies the reflection of such bright, intermittent flashes; , glisten suggests the reflection of a lustrous light, as from a wet surface; , shimmer refers to a soft, tremulous reflection, as from a slightly disturbed body of water
Word origin
ME flashen, to splash, sprinkle; of echoic orig.
flash in Chemical Engineering
(flæʃ)
Word forms: (plural) flashes
noun
(Chemical Engineering: Distillation)
A flash is a process in which a liquid is vaporized in one stage.
In a flash, a liquid feed stream is brought into a drum or tank where the feed is partiallyvaporized when the pressure suddenly drops.
The flash is a single-stage separation technique in which a feed mixture is partially vaporized.
A flash is a process in which a liquid is vaporized in one stage.
flash in Mechanical Engineering
(flæʃ)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Manufacturing and assembly)
Flash consists of unwanted material pushed out from the edges of a die during forming.
A small amount of metal flows out of the die, forming flash.
Excess metal is squeezed out of the die cavities, forming what is referred to asflash.
Flash consists of unwanted material pushed out from the edges of a die during forming.
More idioms containing
flash
in a flash
a flash in the pan
quick as a flash
Examples of 'flash' in a sentence
flash
Might as well just get used to more flash crashes.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
And he showed flashes of his star quality last night with fine flicks and touches.
The Sun (2016)
Volunteers wore goggles that flashed light into their eyes at a particular frequency.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Police at the scene of an accident took them the rest of the way with blue lights flashing.
The Sun (2017)
He also laundered the dirty money by investing in car washes and restaurants and by buying flash cars.
The Sun (2016)
The cameras have been upgraded, with a revamped flash and faster focus.
The Sun (2016)
In flashes they can look brilliant, but too often a lack of focus and attitude is costing them.
The Sun (2016)
After all, these are the players who can turn a disappointing weekend into a stellar one with the flash of a foot.
The Sun (2016)
THE warning signs are flashing bright red at Manchester City.
The Sun (2016)
GWYNETH PALTROW sparked speculation she is engaged again after flashing an impressive sparkler on that finger.
The Sun (2016)
Or give a single flash of the indicators?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Suddenly a brown flash and a tremendous bang on my windscreen.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They flash through the mind without trace.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Their careers are gone in a flash.
Peter McEvoy For Love or Money (2006)
There was a sudden flash of lightning that gave the face blazing eyes.
Sidney Sheldon The Other Side of Me
Then she shows a rare flash of anger.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The message flashed up at regular intervals on the advertising hoardings all around the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We were surrounded by flashing blue lights.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Then he undid his work by flashing his teeth again.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But he was not certain if a flash gun was used.
The Sun (2008)
All the famous corners from the show flash past.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Not for fast cars or flash things.
The Sun (2014)
When she awoke a new idea flashed upon her with all the brightness of the morning.
Elizabeth Gaskell North and South (1855)
We know that some reports contain flash photography.
The Sun (2012)
We are not a flash in the pan.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Virtual promises of guaranteed wins flashed across the screen.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She entered the court after giving a huge smile to a barrage of flashes from news cameras.
The Sun (2009)
The flash plan is about adding flavour to your food while losing weight healthily.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Men are allowed to love in fiction without looking winsome or flashing on the front cover.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The odd flash of something here and there, though generally lacklustre and disappointing.
The Sun (2010)
And he was one of the very best, all flash and quite beautiful.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We spend less money here in a long weekend than we do in London, because there are no flashrestaurants.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
flash
British English: flash /flæʃ/ NOUN
A flash of light is a sudden, short burst of it.
...a sudden flash of lightning.
American English: flash
Arabic: وَمِيض
Brazilian Portuguese: clarão
Chinese: 闪光
Croatian: bljesak
Czech: záblesk
Danish: glimt
Dutch: flits
European Spanish: destello
Finnish: välähdys
French: éclair lumière
German: Aufblitzen
Greek: αναλαμπή
Italian: lampo
Japanese: 閃光
Korean: 섬광
Norwegian: lynglimt
Polish: błysk
European Portuguese: clarão
Romanian: scânteiere
Russian: вспышка
Latin American Spanish: destello
Swedish: blixt
Thai: แสงวาบ
Turkish: flaş
Ukrainian: спалах
Vietnamese: ánh chớp
British English: flash /flæʃ/ VERB
If a light flashes, or if you flash a light, it shines brightly and suddenly.
Lightning flashed among the dark clouds.
He lost his temper when a driver flashed her lights at him.
American English: flash
Arabic: يـَومِضُ
Brazilian Portuguese: brilhar
Chinese: 闪光
Croatian: bljesnuti
Czech: vzplanout
Danish: blinke
Dutch: flitsen
European Spanish: destellar
Finnish: leimahtaa
French: clignoter
German: aufleuchten
Greek: αστράφτω
Italian: lampeggiare
Japanese: パッと発火する
Korean: 번쩍이다
Norwegian: lyne
Polish: błysnąć
European Portuguese: brilhar
Romanian: a străluci
Russian: вспыхивать
Latin American Spanish: destellar
Swedish: lysa till
Thai: ส่องแสงวาบขึ้นมา
Turkish: parlamak
Ukrainian: спалахувати
Vietnamese: nháy sáng
All related terms of 'flash'
flash-fry
to fry something very quickly by placing it in a pan on a very high heat
flash gun
a device that sets off a flashbulb simultaneously with the opening of the camera shutter
flash mob
A flash mob is a group of people who arrange by phone or online to meet suddenly in a public place to do something for a short time.
flash set
undesirably rapid setting of cement in concrete
hot flash
A hot flash is the same as a → hot flush .
blue flash
Meteorology See green flash
flash back
If your mind flashes back to something in the past , you remember it or think of it briefly or suddenly .
Flash-Ball
a nonlethal handheld weapon able to fire rubber projectiles , used in riot control
flash burn
a burn caused by momentary exposure to intense radiant heat
flash card
Flash cards are cards which are sometimes used in the teaching of reading or a foreign language. Each card has words or a picture on it.
flash drive
a pocket-sized portable computer hard drive and data storage device
flash flood
A flash flood is a sudden rush of water over dry land, usually caused by a lot of rain .
flash Harry
a man who likes to dress and behave ostentatiously
flash lamp
a lamp for providing momentary illumination of the subject of a photograph
flash meter
a meter that measures the light emitted by a flash unit
flash point
the lowest temperature at which a volatile solid or the vapor of a liquid will flash when exposed to a brief flame under certain conditions
flash sale
A flash sale is a sale, held for a very limited time, offering very large discounts on surplus stock.
flash tube
a gaseous discharge tube designed to emit extremely short bursts of very intense light
green flash
a flash of bright green light sometimes seen as the sun passes below the horizon , caused by a combination of the dispersion , scattering , and refraction of light
prank flash
a short film or animation linked surreptitiously to an innocuous website , intended to shock unsuspecting and easily-offended users of the internet
ring flash
a type of electronic flash in which the light source is arranged in a ring around the lens in order to produce a light without shadows
flash drying
Flash drying is a stage in a process to make something bigger , in which a paste-like feed is broken up and dried at the same time.
flash fiction
a genre of fiction in which stories are characterized by extreme brevity
flash-forward
an interruption in the continuity of a story, play, film, etc. by the narration or portrayal of some future episode
flash memory
a type of reprogrammable memory that retains information even with the power turned off
flash powder
powder that could be ignited to provide a bright light to take a photograph
helium flash
the explosive burning of helium in the case of a star of low mass that occurs when the core is so dense that the matter has become degenerate . The burning causes a rapid rise in temperature until it is so high that the gas ceases to be degenerate, after which there is a rapid expansion
in a flash
If you say that something happens in a flash , you mean that it happens suddenly and lasts only a very short time.
flash smelting
a smelting process for sulphur-containing ores in which the dried and powdered ore, mixed with oxygen , is ignited on discharge from a nozzle , melts, and drops to the bottom of a settling chamber . Sulphur is released mainly in its solid form, thus reducing atmospheric pollution
shoulder flash
an emblem worn high on the arm as an insignia
electronic flash
an electronic device for producing a very bright flash of light by means of an electric discharge in a gas-filled tube
flash eliminator
a device fitted to the muzzle of a firearm to reduce the flash made by the ignited propellant gases
flash photography
photography in which a flashbulb or electronic flash is used to provide momentary illumination of a dark or insufficiently lit subject
flash photolysis
a technique for producing and investigating free radicals . A low-pressure gas is subjected to a flash of radiation to produce the radicals, subsequent flashes being used to identify them and assess their lifetimes by absorption spectroscopy
flash in the pan
a project, person, etc, that enjoys only short-lived success , notoriety, etc
quick as a flash
If you say that someone reacts to something quick as a flash , you mean that they react to it extremely quickly.
flashbulb
A flashbulb is a small bulb that can be fixed to a camera . It makes a bright flash of light so that you can take photographs indoors .
hot flush
A hot flush is a sudden hot feeling in the skin which women often experience at the time of the menopause.
newsflash
A newsflash is an important item of news that television or radio companies broadcast as soon as they receive it, often interrupting other programmes to do so.
a flash in the pan
If you describe an achievement or success as a flash in the pan , you mean that it is unlikely to be repeated and is not an indication of future achievements or success.
USB drive
a pocket-sized portable computer hard drive and data storage device
flashback
In a film, novel, or play, a flashback is a scene that returns to events in the past.