Flake
/fleɪk/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a noun, "flake" means a small, thin, flat piece that has come off something bigger, like snow or paint. As a verb, it means to break off into small pieces or to not do something you said you would do, especially plans or promises.
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See It in Action
A small, thin piece that comes off a larger object
- •The paint on the old door started to flake.
- •Snowflakes are tiny flakes of ice falling from the sky.
- •Be careful, the glass may flake if it breaks.
To break off in small pieces or to peel
- •The old wall is flaking because of the weather.
- •Her skin flaked after a sunburn.
- •The ice began to flake away as the sun warmed it.
(Informal) To fail to do something you promised or planned
- •He flaked on our meeting again.
- •Don’t flake out on me at the party tonight.
- •She flaked and didn’t show up for the job interview.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "flake" like "piece" (A1 word), but a very small, thin piece that comes off something bigger
- ✓Picture a snowflake falling gently from the sky or a small piece of paint falling from a wall
- ✓It’s the feeling when someone says they will come but then suddenly do not show up (verb meaning)
- ✓Sounds like "flake" → imagine a thin, flat piece of something falling like a leaf or a tiny paper flake floating down
- ✓Think of the story of a flaky friend who promises to meet but cancels at the last minute
- ✓NOT like "chip" (which is usually thicker or bigger), a flake is thinner and more delicate
- ✓NOT like "break" (which is a general word for damage), "flake" is about small, thin pieces coming off or failing to keep commitments
- ✓NOT like "flake" (noun) meaning snowflake vs "flake" (verb) meaning to cancel plans — same word, different uses
Try Other Words
- •Chip: a small broken piece (Use when the piece is thicker or harder, like a chip of wood or glass)
- •Flake off: to peel or come off in flakes (Use when describing paint or skin peeling)
- •Cancel: to not do something planned (Use when "flake" means to fail to keep plans, but "cancel" is more formal)
- •Peel: to come off in thin layers (Use when talking about skin or paint coming off in thin layers)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root word "flake" (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "flacian" meaning to fall or break off in flakes
- •Historical development: Used first to describe small pieces of material breaking off, later also used informally to mean failing to keep plans
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for small pieces of snow, paint, or skin, and informally for someone who does not keep promises or plans
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "flake" change when used as a noun versus as a verb? Can you think of examples for both?
•Why do you think "flake" became a word to describe someone who does not keep plans? What image does this create?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the old paint started to flake, tiny ___ of color fell to the floor.
2.She said she would come, but then she flaked ___ the last minute and did not show up.
3.The dry skin began to flake ___ after the sunburn.
4.Unlike a chip, a flake is usually ___ and thin.
5.When snow falls, it comes down as many small ___.
6.If someone flakes on you, they usually ___ a promise or plan.
7.The wall was flaking because the weather caused the paint to ___ away.