Flake
/fleɪk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA small, thin piece of something, typically detached or broken off.
/fleɪk/
A small, thin piece or fragment
He brushed a flake of dandruff from his shoulder.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny, thin piece that breaks off of something bigger, like a piece of a chocolate bar or a piece of snow.
👶 For kids: A tiny, flat piece that breaks off of something.
More Examples
The paint on the old car was starting to flake off.
We added a chocolate flake to the ice cream.
How It's Used
"Snowflakes gently fell from the sky."
"The chef sprinkled a flake of sea salt on the dish."
To come off in small, thin pieces; to peel or shed in flakes.
/fleɪk/
To come off in small pieces
The old wallpaper started to flake away.
💡 Simply: When something's flaking, it means little pieces are falling off, like old paint or dry skin.
👶 For kids: To fall off in tiny pieces.
More Examples
Her sunburned skin was flaking badly.
The rust was flaking off the old metal gate.
How It's Used
"The paint on the wall was flaking."
"His skin began to flake after the sunburn."
To cancel a plan or engagement, often without notice; to fail to appear as agreed.
/fleɪk/
To cancel plans or fail to appear
I hope she doesn't flake on the date tonight.
💡 Simply: Flaking means you cancel plans at the last minute, especially when you said you would be there.
👶 For kids: To say you will do something, but then you don't do it.
More Examples
He always flakes when we try to make plans.
Don't flake on me – I'm counting on you.
How It's Used
"He flaked on the party at the last minute."
"Don't flake on me this time!"
Idioms & expressions
flake out
To suddenly collapse or become exhausted; to fall asleep.
"After working all day, he flaked out on the couch."
snowflake
A single ice crystal that falls as snow. Also, used informally to describe a person perceived as overly sensitive or easily offended.
"The snowflakes fell silently from the sky."
From Middle Dutch *vlake* or Middle Low German *vlake*, meaning 'a flake, fragment', related to the verb 'to fly' indicating something light and detached.
The word 'flake' has been used since the 16th century, initially referring to a small piece or fragment. The informal verb usage, referring to cancelling plans, became more common in the late 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of a snowflake: a delicate, thin piece of frozen water.