flicker

verb

/ˈflɪkə(r)/

/ˈflɪkər/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they flicker	/ˈflɪkə(r)/ /ˈflɪkər/
he / she / it flickers	/ˈflɪkəz/ /ˈflɪkərz/
past simple flickered	/ˈflɪkəd/ /ˈflɪkərd/
past participle flickered	/ˈflɪkəd/ /ˈflɪkərd/
-ing form flickering	/ˈflɪkərɪŋ/ /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/

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[intransitive] (of a light or a flame) to keep going on and off as it shines or burns
- The lights flickered and went out.
- the flickering screen of the television
Extra Examples
- The lights flickered on and off.
- The television screen flickered into life.
- Black and white images were flickering on the screen.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- briefly
- for a moment
- momentarily
- …
preposition
- across
- over
phrases
- flicker into life
- flicker to life
- flicker open
- …
See full entry
[intransitive] + adv./prep. (of an emotion, a thought, etc.) to be expressed or appear somewhere for a short time
- Anger flickered in his eyes.
- A smile flickered across her face.
[intransitive] to move with small quick movements
- Her eyelids flickered as she slept.
Extra Examples
- Kate's eyes flickered open.
- Her eyes flickered nervously in anticipation.
- His gaze flickered over her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- briefly
- for a moment
- momentarily
- …
preposition
- across
- over
phrases
- flicker into life
- flicker to life
- flicker open
- …
See full entry

Word OriginOld English flicorian, flycerian ‘to flutter’, probably of Germanic origin and related to Low German flickern and Dutch flikkeren.

flicker

noun

/ˈflɪkə(r)/

/ˈflɪkər/

[usually singular]

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flicker (of something) a light that shines in an unsteady way
- the flicker of a television/candle
Extra Examples
- He saw a flicker of light in the darkness.
- The brief flicker of a candle flame caught our eyes.
- The candle gave one last flicker and went out.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- faint
- slight
- small
- …
verb + flicker
- show
- catch
- notice
- …
flicker + verb
- cross something
- catch somebody’s eye
preposition
- flicker of
phrases
- the flicker of a candle
- the flicker of a flame
- a flicker of somebody’s/the eyes
- …
See full entry
flicker (of something) a small, sudden movement with part of the body
- the flicker of an eyelid
- By not the merest flicker of an eyelid did he betray his interest.
Extra Examples
- A flicker of movement caught her eye and she turned her head.
- Her only reaction was a slight flicker of her eyes.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- faint
- slight
- small
- …
verb + flicker
- show
- catch
- notice
- …
flicker + verb
- cross something
- catch somebody’s eye
preposition
- flicker of
phrases
- the flicker of a candle
- the flicker of a flame
- a flicker of somebody’s/the eyes
- …
See full entry
flicker (of something) a feeling or an emotion that lasts for only a very short time
- a flicker of hope/doubt/interest
- A flicker of a smile crossed her face.
Extra Examples
- 'He'll soon be here,' she thought, with a flicker of excitement.
- A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
- European stock markets showed barely a flicker of interest in the election result.
- She caught the faintest flicker of amusement on his face.
- She felt a brief flicker of jealousy.
- She spoke without a flicker of fear.
- The secret police were determined to stamp out the last flickers of academic freedom.
- The witness stared at the accused but she showed not a flicker of recognition.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- faint
- slight
- small
- …
verb + flicker
- show
- catch
- notice
- …
flicker + verb
- cross something
- catch somebody’s eye
preposition
- flicker of
phrases
- the flicker of a candle
- the flicker of a flame
- a flicker of somebody’s/the eyes
- …
See full entry

Word OriginOld English flicorian, flycerian ‘to flutter’, probably of Germanic origin and related to Low German flickern and Dutch flikkeren.