Flashed
/flæʃt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo shine or reflect light suddenly and briefly.
/flæʃt/
To emit a sudden, brief burst of light.
The lightning flashed across the sky.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're taking a picture with your phone. The flash is that quick burst of bright light. That's what "flashed" means!
👶 For kids: To make a light turn on and off really fast.
More Examples
A warning light flashed on the control panel.
She flashed a quick smile at him.
How It's Used
"The camera flashed, capturing the moment."
"The warning light flashed on the dashboard."
To display or show something briefly.
/flæʃt/
To show or display something briefly.
A picture of his family flashed on the screen.
💡 Simply: Like when you quickly show someone your ID, or a memory pops into your head for a second. That’s like something being "flashed."
👶 For kids: To show something for just a little bit.
More Examples
The news headline flashed across the TV.
She flashed a brief memory of her childhood.
How It's Used
"He flashed his ID to the security guard."
"Memories flashed through her mind."
To move or pass quickly.
/flæʃt/
The police car flashed its lights as it sped through the intersection.
💡 Simply: Think of a car zooming by so fast you barely see it. Or a runner speeding past. When things go by super fast, they're like they "flashed" by.
👶 For kids: To go by really, really fast.
More Examples
The image flashed across the screen quickly.
A thought flashed through his mind.
How It's Used
"The runner flashed past the finish line."
"The train flashed through the tunnel."
Idioms & expressions
flash in the pan
Something that appears promising at first but quickly fails or disappoints.
"The new product was a flash in the pan."
From Middle English flashen, from Old French flassier ("to splash"), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Middle Dutch blasen ("to blow").
The word "flash" and its inflections have been used since the 16th century, initially referring to a sudden burst of light or water.
Memory tip
Think of a camera's flash or a lightning bolt.
Word Origin
"To splash (possibly)"