Flicker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈfli-kər/ flick·er

Meaning & Definition of Flicker

Flicker (verb)

  1. to move irregularly or unsteadily, flutter
  2. to burn or shine fitfully or with a fluctuating light
  3. to appear or pass briefly or quickly

Flicker (noun)

  1. an act of flickering
  2. a sudden brief movement
  3. a momentary arousal (as of interest or emotion)
  4. a large barred and spotted North American woodpecker (Colaptes auratus) with a brown back that commonly forages on the ground for ants

Flicker (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements

    "a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh"

    similar: dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter, zip
    related: dash, fly, sail, shoot, speed, sprint, zing, zoom, scamper, scud, scurry, scuttle, skip, skitter, meander, ramble, roam, wander
    near: float, hang, hover

Flicker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track

    "as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers"

    similar: film, flick, motion picture, movie, moving picture, picture
    related: animated cartoon, cartoon, docudrama, documentary, feature, featurette, short, short subject, silent, talkie, B movie, B picture, cofeature

  2. a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity

    "usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out"

    similar: burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, spurt
    related: recrudescence, recurrence, renewal, binge, jag, spree, boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn, epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm, deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley, commotion, furor, uproar
    near: calm, doldrums, slump

  3. an almost imperceptible sign of something

    "there was a flicker of recognition in her eye when I mentioned his name, but she denied knowing him"

    similar: breath, glimmer, hint, suggestion, tang, touch, trace, whiff
    related: inkling, intimation, scent, wind, evidence, indication, mark, sign
    near: permeation, pervasion, saturation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Flicker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flicker:

dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter, zip, film, motion picture, movie, moving picture, picture, burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flurry, outbreak, outburst, spurt, breath, glimmer, hint, suggestion, tang, touch, trace, whiff

Related Words for Flicker

dash, fly, sail, shoot, speed, sprint, zing, zoom, scamper, scud, scurry, scuttle, skip, skitter, meander, ramble, roam, wander, animated cartoon, cartoon, docudrama, documentary, feature, featurette, short, short subject, silent, talkie, B movie, B picture

Near Antonyms of Flicker

float, hang, hover, calm, doldrums, slump, permeation, pervasion, saturation

Word Forms of Flicker

Inflections: flickered, flickering

Derived words: flickery (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Flicker

Middle English flikeren, from Old English flicorian

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Flicker

flea-flicker, red-shafted flicker, yellow-shafted flicker

Frequently Asked Questions about Flicker

What does "Flicker" mean?

"Flicker" means to move irregularly or unsteadily, flutter. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move irregularly or unsteadily, flutter. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flicker"?

Other words for "Flicker" include dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter and zip. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flicker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flicker"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flicker". Common alternatives include dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter, zip, film and motion picture.

How do you use "Flicker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Flicker" in a sentence: "a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh"; "as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers"; "usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out".

Is "Flicker" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Flicker" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Flicker"?

"Flicker" is pronounced /ˈfli-kər/ and divided into syllables as flick·er.

What is the origin of the word "Flicker"?

"Flicker" comes from Middle English flikeren, from Old English flicorian. First known use: before 12th centuryi.

What is another word for "Flicker" meaning "to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements"?

When "Flicker" (verb) means to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements, synonyms include dance, dart, flick, flirt, flit and flitter.